Dan Campbell

2004 Season Outlook

The Cedarville University men’s cross country team finished the previous season in the NAIA Top 25. Now, the Yellow Jackets are planning to stay there throughout the 2004 schedule with hopes of ending the campaign at the national meet.

Paul Orchard, who is in his second season as head coach after leading the track & field program for 10 years, had the Jackets ranked as high as No. 14 during his first season. They placed 19th at the NAIA National Championship and are pre-season ranked No. 18 for 2004.

"We’re probably ranked where we belong,” Orchard stated. “There are so many variables that it makes it hard to predict how we should be. To no one’s surprise, a lot comes down to injuries and, more importantly, the lack of them. Good health and the contribution of some of our newcomers should lead to a successful finish.”

The runner that pulls everyone along is junior Dan Campbell. He will again anchor the #1 position on the team which is where he was for all eight meets last fall. He pulled out victories at Wittenberg, Cedarville, and Ohio Northern; was an NCCAA All-American by placing 12th; finished 3rd in the American Mideast Conference; and was the NCCAA indoor track champion in the 5,000 meters for the second straight year.

Chris Jones

"Dan is unquestionably our best distance runner and he could have a fantastic season,” declared Orchard. “He was 50th at the NAIA Nationals and he has a chance for All-America recognition this year which is top 30. He will be our leader on the course.”

Also looked to for leadership will be senior co-captains Andy Goodenough and Chris Jones. They both appeared in all eight varsity meets last fall with Jones finishing in the #6 position and Goodenough at #7.

Kevin Hall, another junior, ran among the team’s top five runners in every meet during the season and finished it in the #3 position. On the track, he’s the defending NCCAA 3,000 meter steeplechase champion.

Benjamin Shroyer and Mark Swan, both juniors, are back for their third seasons. Shroyer was AMC honorable mention in 2003 with a 16th-place finish. Swan was an NCCAA Indoor All-American on the track in the 800 meters.

Andy Goodenough

Sophomores Matt Clark and Bryan Pittman are both ready to contribute after enjoying solid track seasons. They NCCAA Indoor All-Americans in the distance medley and were joined in that quartet by classmate Micah Harding, who missed last cross country season following surgery on his knee.

Orchard won’t be surprised if freshmen Justin Gutierrez and Justin Herbert immediately crack the top seven in the line-up. There are 18 athletes in all that make up one of the largest men’s cross country rosters in recent years.

The Jackets will again host two meets at nearby John Bryan State Park. The 14th Annual Friendship Invitational, which includes eight races total in junior high, high school, and college divisions, takes place on Sept. 18. The NCCAA Nationals will be on Nov. 13. CU also runs at Bowling Green, Louisville, the All-Ohio, and Georgetown. The American Mideast Conference Championship will be hosted by Seton Hill.