Andy Goodenough

2003 Season Outlook

There are a number of new looks to the Cedarville University men's cross country program. The most noticeable is at the top where Paul Orchard has moved into the head coaching spot after leading the track & field squad for the past ten seasons. He takes over for Elvin King, who still coaches the women after handling the men's duties since 1969.

Also gone is two-time NAIA cross country All-American and six-time track All-American Sergio Reyes, who was arguably the finest men's distance runner that the Jackets have ever had. Adding to the new appearance is the fact that CU sports new uniforms and warm-ups for the 2003 schedule.

"It's really hard to know how good we can be," Orchard said in previewing the season. "Sergio simply ran at a higher level than a lot of people so that kind of on-the-course leadership will be missed. However, we still have some guys who can run well. We don't have a senior on the roster so we're young, but we do have some talent."

Dave Balch

The two most experienced runners are juniors Andy Goodenough and Chris Jones. Goodenough has battled some injuries during his first two seasons but still managed to run in five meets last year including a respectable 34th-place finish at the NCCAA Nationals. Jones has also gotten varsity experience both years.

The top returning tandem is sophomores Dan Campbell and Dave Balch. Campbell finished his rookie year in the #3 position and was 22nd at the NCCAA Nationals when the Jackets ended up 3rd as a team. He was also the NCCAA Indoor 5,000 meter champion on the track. Balch was the Jackets' #4 runner as a freshman and placed 31st in the NCCAA.

Kevin Hall, Chris Hershey, Benjamin Shroyer, and Mark Swan add plenty of depth to the sophomore class. Hall was the squad's #6 man last year and was an NCCAA Outdoor All-American on the track in the steeplechase. Hershey was among CU's top four finishers four times while Shroyer and Swan, who were both members of the Jackets' AMC champion 4 x 800 meter relay team in outdoor track, both received valuable varsity experience a year ago.

Kevin Hall

Bryan Amerine, Matt Clark, Micah Harding, Brian Klay, and Bryan Pittman form an impressive freshmen class. Amerine was a team captain for Hilliard Davidson's 2002 Ohio Division I state championship team. Harding, who ran at nearby Cedarville High School, placed 3rd in the Ohio Division III meet for all-state honors as a senior and was the state 800 meter track champion as a junior.

The men don't begin their schedule until taking part in the Wittenberg Invitational on Sept. 13 which is the first of three meets on the Jackets' home course at John Bryan State Park in Yellow Springs. They also host their own Friendship Invitational on Sept. 20 and the NCCAA Nationals on Nov. 15.

The NAIA Nationals moves to Louisville, KY this year on Nov. 22. If the Jackets are fortunate enough to get there, they get to preview the national course at the Louisville Classic on Sept. 27. The Ohio Intercollegiate returns to Delaware, OH on Oct. 10 and Saint Vincent will host the AMC Championships in Latrobe, PA on Nov. 1. CU has an open date on Oct. 17, but will compete at a meet yet to be determined.