Eastern Michigan Athletics
Photo by: James Dreher
Men's Cross Country Primed for 2011 Campaign
8/19/2011 10:52:00 AM | Men's XC
Goodridge welcomes four newcomers to the 2011 squad
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — After claiming the program's 15th Mid-American Conference Championship last fall, the Eastern Michigan University men's cross country team will welcome back a talented core of athletes that should provide an opportunity to return to the top of the podium once again in 2011.
“With the return of seven-of-nine harriers from last year's MAC Championship squad, including individual champion Terefe Ejigu(Mount Cook, Wellington-Wellington College (New Zealand)),” said Head Coach John Goodridge, “our team goal of repeating is certainly realistic.”
Ejigu, a 2010 All-MAC and All-Region selection, put together a notable sophomore campaign for the Eagles. He paced the Green and White in five races last season and became the 18th individual in EMU cross country history to clinch the individual championship with his 8,000-meter, 24:08.3 performance. He posted a team-best time at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional, and despite finishing 15th at the event, Ejigu maintained his position in the top-five until the final 800 meters of the race. Goodridge is confident that the Mount Cook, Wellington native will continue to grow in 2011 and is a likely contender at the National Championship level.
“Ejigu gave a great effort at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional,” said Goodridge, “but he over-raced himself a bit, which handicapped his chances of qualifying individually for the NCAA National Championship. He has been very consistent at the MAC Championship, and we now look for him to develop onto the national stage as his next goal in development.”
Joining Ejigu in the Eagles' efforts this season will be senior captain Austin Hendrix (Sylvania, Ohio-Northview). Hendrix, an Academic All-MAC selection in 2010, placed 15th at last season's MAC Championship thanks to his 24:15.5 outing. Goodridge notes the senior's leadership capabilities are a large deciding factor in appointing Hendrix as team captain.
"Hendrix has improved each year and has been a tough competitor,” said Goodridge. “He is a dedicated trainer and is respected immensely by his teammates, so his selection as team captain is richly deserved."
In addition to Hendrix, Goodridge also expects senior Cole Sanseverino (Monroe, Mich.-Monroe) to fit into his role as a leader in his final year competing for the Green and White.
"Hendrix and Sanseverino will be looked to for senior leadership and production,” said Goodridge. “Each has the ability to make significant contributions as to how strong we will compete this season.”
Also returning is junior James Hughes (Manchester, Mich.-Manchester), a strong competitor for the Eagles who finished first at the Titan Invite last season and also took 18th at the 2010 MAC Championship. The Manchester, Mich. native will look to rebound from a previous injury, an issue that has plagued other individuals on Goodridge's returning roster.
“Our distance group was somewhat snake-bitten last year,” said Goodridge. “During the track season we had several illnesses and injuries that disrupted our training, competitive efforts and development markers that we were aiming toward."
Sophomore Harry Dixon (Nelson, New Zealand-Nayland College), a second team All-MAC, 12th-place performer at last year's championship, is recovering from a knee injury suffered earlier in the year and has shown progress since returning to his training this spring.
Redshirt freshman Daryl Smith (Windsor, Ontario-Vincent Massey S.S.) will see action this year after having to sit out last fall after dealing with a blood disorder. The former two-time Canadian National Junior Cross Country team member set a personal record of 3:49 in the 1500-meter this summer and, according to Goodridge, he is looking forward to a healthy return to competitive running.
A stress fracture hindered sophomore Grzegorz Kalinowski's (Torun, Poland-Nicholas Copernicus University) track season, but Goodridge is confident he will fully recover and continue to show potential in the fall.
“I am looking forward to seeing what we can get from middle-distance runner, Kalinowski,” said Goodridge. “He ran one cross country race last year and won the EMU Classic 5,000-meters, which clearly demonstrated his potential contribution."
Several other returning members should be competing for roles on the 2011 team.
“Sophomores Cody Chabola (Kingsville, Ohio-Edgewood), Nate Lonsway (Dublin, Ohio-Dublin Coffman), Nick Petro (Erie, Mich.-Monroe) and Matt Wines (Pinckney, Mich.-Pinckney) all have the potential to challenge for a Varsity position,” said Goodridge. “While redshirt freshman Ian Hancke is eager to challenge for a strong role in the program.”
Junior Josh George (Toronto, Ontario-Frontenac), redshirt sophomore Moe Frisch (Toledo, Ohio-Whitmer) and sophomore Warren Witchell (Williamstar, Mich.-Dansville) will round out the returners from the 2010 squad, while four newcomers are slated to kick-off their careers at EMU this fall.
Freshman Cameron Trinh (Oakland, Calif.-Skyline), an All-East Bay standout from Skyline High School in Oakland, Calif. will join All-Suburban League honoree Nick Twining (Bowling Green, Ohio-Eastwood), as well as Lansing, Mich. native Jordan Walker (Lansing, Mich.-Everett), and freshman Andrew Smith as part of the 2011 incoming class.
Despite the offseason injuries, Goodridge's returning contributors combined with a promising set of underclassmen will set the Eagles up for success this season.
"In terms of team positions this might be the most competitive situation I have had at EMU,” said Goodridge. “It will be very interesting to see how this season develops.”
The Green and White will kick-start the 2011 campaign at the Bowling Green Triangular, Sept. 2 in Toledo, Ohio.
“With the return of seven-of-nine harriers from last year's MAC Championship squad, including individual champion Terefe Ejigu(Mount Cook, Wellington-Wellington College (New Zealand)),” said Head Coach John Goodridge, “our team goal of repeating is certainly realistic.”
Ejigu, a 2010 All-MAC and All-Region selection, put together a notable sophomore campaign for the Eagles. He paced the Green and White in five races last season and became the 18th individual in EMU cross country history to clinch the individual championship with his 8,000-meter, 24:08.3 performance. He posted a team-best time at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional, and despite finishing 15th at the event, Ejigu maintained his position in the top-five until the final 800 meters of the race. Goodridge is confident that the Mount Cook, Wellington native will continue to grow in 2011 and is a likely contender at the National Championship level.
“Ejigu gave a great effort at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional,” said Goodridge, “but he over-raced himself a bit, which handicapped his chances of qualifying individually for the NCAA National Championship. He has been very consistent at the MAC Championship, and we now look for him to develop onto the national stage as his next goal in development.”
Joining Ejigu in the Eagles' efforts this season will be senior captain Austin Hendrix (Sylvania, Ohio-Northview). Hendrix, an Academic All-MAC selection in 2010, placed 15th at last season's MAC Championship thanks to his 24:15.5 outing. Goodridge notes the senior's leadership capabilities are a large deciding factor in appointing Hendrix as team captain.
"Hendrix has improved each year and has been a tough competitor,” said Goodridge. “He is a dedicated trainer and is respected immensely by his teammates, so his selection as team captain is richly deserved."
In addition to Hendrix, Goodridge also expects senior Cole Sanseverino (Monroe, Mich.-Monroe) to fit into his role as a leader in his final year competing for the Green and White.
"Hendrix and Sanseverino will be looked to for senior leadership and production,” said Goodridge. “Each has the ability to make significant contributions as to how strong we will compete this season.”
Also returning is junior James Hughes (Manchester, Mich.-Manchester), a strong competitor for the Eagles who finished first at the Titan Invite last season and also took 18th at the 2010 MAC Championship. The Manchester, Mich. native will look to rebound from a previous injury, an issue that has plagued other individuals on Goodridge's returning roster.
“Our distance group was somewhat snake-bitten last year,” said Goodridge. “During the track season we had several illnesses and injuries that disrupted our training, competitive efforts and development markers that we were aiming toward."
Sophomore Harry Dixon (Nelson, New Zealand-Nayland College), a second team All-MAC, 12th-place performer at last year's championship, is recovering from a knee injury suffered earlier in the year and has shown progress since returning to his training this spring.
Redshirt freshman Daryl Smith (Windsor, Ontario-Vincent Massey S.S.) will see action this year after having to sit out last fall after dealing with a blood disorder. The former two-time Canadian National Junior Cross Country team member set a personal record of 3:49 in the 1500-meter this summer and, according to Goodridge, he is looking forward to a healthy return to competitive running.
A stress fracture hindered sophomore Grzegorz Kalinowski's (Torun, Poland-Nicholas Copernicus University) track season, but Goodridge is confident he will fully recover and continue to show potential in the fall.
“I am looking forward to seeing what we can get from middle-distance runner, Kalinowski,” said Goodridge. “He ran one cross country race last year and won the EMU Classic 5,000-meters, which clearly demonstrated his potential contribution."
Several other returning members should be competing for roles on the 2011 team.
“Sophomores Cody Chabola (Kingsville, Ohio-Edgewood), Nate Lonsway (Dublin, Ohio-Dublin Coffman), Nick Petro (Erie, Mich.-Monroe) and Matt Wines (Pinckney, Mich.-Pinckney) all have the potential to challenge for a Varsity position,” said Goodridge. “While redshirt freshman Ian Hancke is eager to challenge for a strong role in the program.”
Junior Josh George (Toronto, Ontario-Frontenac), redshirt sophomore Moe Frisch (Toledo, Ohio-Whitmer) and sophomore Warren Witchell (Williamstar, Mich.-Dansville) will round out the returners from the 2010 squad, while four newcomers are slated to kick-off their careers at EMU this fall.
Freshman Cameron Trinh (Oakland, Calif.-Skyline), an All-East Bay standout from Skyline High School in Oakland, Calif. will join All-Suburban League honoree Nick Twining (Bowling Green, Ohio-Eastwood), as well as Lansing, Mich. native Jordan Walker (Lansing, Mich.-Everett), and freshman Andrew Smith as part of the 2011 incoming class.
Despite the offseason injuries, Goodridge's returning contributors combined with a promising set of underclassmen will set the Eagles up for success this season.
"In terms of team positions this might be the most competitive situation I have had at EMU,” said Goodridge. “It will be very interesting to see how this season develops.”
The Green and White will kick-start the 2011 campaign at the Bowling Green Triangular, Sept. 2 in Toledo, Ohio.
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