| 2005 Cross Country Season Preview The 2005 cross country teams have high hopes of carrying on the program’s tradition of excellence by once again winning the Mid-South Conference and qualifying for the NAIA National Championships. The 2004 men’s team took 12 th place at the National meet while the women finished 25 th. Those returning to the 2005 squad are determined to improve on their personal best and help University of the Cumberlands reach even higher heights. The Patriot track and field teams broke 18 school records and sent 12 athletes to the national meet in 2005. With the addition of several new athletes, the teams plan to accomplish new feats and set even higher goals. MEN’S OUTLOOK: The Patriot men’s cross country team returns three of last years top seven in Carl Roberts, Brad Wells and senior Landon O’Banion. Sophomore’s Breylen Derrick and Brett Ratliff look to step up and add depth to the team, while freshmen Seth Darrel and Josh Laughlin, both of Ohio, and Josphat Melly from Nairobi, Kenya will also provide the needed advantage. On the Track and field side the Patriots return a strong sprint squad with Jordan Jeffers leading the way with his 5 th and 6 th place finish in the men’s 200 and 100 meter dash. The Patriots also return all four members of the runner up 4 X 100 meter relay. Other additions such as Duke Cole, 400 meter, Kentucky State Champion, should add more depth to a strong sprint squad along with Malcolm Busby who was the 100 meter state champion in Kentucky in 2005. Eric Tisdol will also be a major contributor in the long and high jumps. WOMEN OUTLOOK: The ladies cross-country team returns four of last years top seven and will also welcome the return of senior in Michelle Warnky, who had been out due to injury, to the mix. The Patriot ladies are poised to run after another conference title and qualify for the NAIA National Championships. The women’s track and field team is at the top of their game with sophomore Stephanie Woodfin leading the way with her 4 th place finish in the 100 meter dash at the Outdoor NAIA National Championships. Woodfin currently holds the school record in the 55,100, and 200 meter dash. The Patriots also return Kelly and Shelly Schnee who have qualified for the National meet the last two years. With the addition of freshmen Vanity Vasquez to an all already strong middle distance group the Patriots look strong for the up coming season. Coach Stroud is looking forward to the upcoming season and said, “This past track season we saw 18 school records broken and the majority of those athletes will be returning so it should make for an interesting 2006 season. Both the men and women’s cross country teams will have a good mix of young and experienced runners that will be looking to continue the tradition of wining the conference and performing well at the National Tournament.”
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