2009 Cross Country Season Preview

The 2009 University of the Cumberlands Men and Women’s Cross Country teams are taking a positive outlook on the season trying to build upon their success from 2008. The men’s team took home the Mid-South Conference Championship with the women’s team taking 4 th. Several individuals on the men’s team also qualified for the NAIA National Championship where they placed 26 th of 32 teams. The women’s team also had one member, Lauren Kachel, qualify for the NAIA National Championship as she placed 235 th out of 327 athletes.

Looking ahead to the 2009 campaign, the Patriots are looking at a young team overall to come together and show passion and dedication to bring home the Mid-South Conference Championships. Staring at the top, the Patriots will have reigning Mid-South Conference Women’s Cross Country Co-Coach of the Year, Floyd Stroud coming back for his
18th season.

The 12-time and defending champion Patriots received 36 points in the Pre-Season Mid-South Conference Poll as they are predicted to yet again take the Conference crown. The women’s team has a race ahead of them as the Conference Pre-Season polls predicted the Patriot ladies to finish fourth after receiving 22 points.

On the men’s side, the Patriots will have to fill the void left by Seth Darrell, a MSC All-Conference team member. The men’s team does have quite a few returners though as Josh Laughlin (Bellbrook, OH), MSC All-Conference team member and Landon Hamilton (Andover, OH), the MSC Freshman of the Year, are looking to help lead the men to victory. Adding talented freshmen Trevor Jones (Somerset, KY) and Steve Mize (Louisville, KY) should also benefit the team immediately.

The women’s team was led this past season by two outstanding freshmen. Shannon Schaffer (Fairfield, OH) and MSC Freshman of the Year Lauren Kachel (Pickerington, OH) led the Patriots throughout the season and look to do the same in 2009. Other top returners for the women include senior Elyse Velte (Waynesville, OH), who is returning from an injury that sidelined her for much of the 2008 season. Junior Brooke White (Kettle Island, KY) should also look to help with the race to the championship as well. Adding in additional talent like Darcey Mascotti (Bellbrook, OH) and Audrey Springer (Pataskala, OH) should do nothing but help improve the women’s chances of bringing home the title.

With two more teams being added into the Mid-South Conference this season, Coach Stroud believes the competition will be fierce. “This should be a tough conference,” said Stroud. “With more teams coming in and the amount of talent that was already in the conference, it just makes it more interesting for the upcoming season.”

The Patriots’ Cross Country season will get underway on September 5 th, as they take part in the Memphis Twilight Meet in Memphis, TN.

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