Aug. 15, 2005

ROMEOVILLE - The 2005 season will feature a "business as usual" approach for the Lewis University men's cross country team, with one significant change.

The difference in this year's Flyers? There's a new "CEO" in the board room.

First-year Head Coach Rick Wemple has assumed command of a traditionally strong program that last season won its 13th Great Lakes Valley Conference title overall and 11th league crown in 13 years. The former Yale University All-American aspires to keep Lewis at the GLVC summit and lift the Flyers to even higher plateaus.

"I applied for, and accepted, this job because of the national success enjoyed by the cross country and track programs, and because I feel there is room for the programs to become even stronger," Wemple said. "I believe I have the ability as a coach to develop both the men's and women's teams at Lewis into national powers."

Wemple inherits a squad that includes juniors Larry Anzalone, who collected all-region (ninth place) and All-GLVC (sixth place) honors last season, and Andy Tremble, a 2004 All-GLVC (fifth place) performer who also finished a strong 20th at the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional.

Sophomore Andrew Northrup (17th GLVC, 46th regional) and senior Josh Thompson (23rd GLVC, 67th regional) also return from last year's top seven.

"Larry and Andy are definitely our two frontrunners, and Andrew is close to making it a trio," Wemple said. "We have several guys who will compete for the other four spots."

Also returning for the Flyers are seniors John Archer, Chris Foley, Alex Nemeth and Darren Orange; juniors Dustin Long and Adrian Myers; and sophomores Emory Burdette, Phil DeSantis, Sinan Khamo, Jared Lauer, Evan Sather and Alberto Villa.

Wemple believes freshman Jeffrey Ritzema could make an immediate impact.

"Based on his success in high school in middle distance up through cross country, Jeffrey has the potential to be a factor right away," Wemple said. "He has a good combination of speed and endurance. The key for him will be developing his endurance for longer collegiate races."

Lewis also has added freshmen Albert Escanilla, Ryan Sather, Adam Singleton and Ryan Stephenson.

Wemple said the Flyers' goals are the same as they are every year - win the GLVC and qualify for the NCAA Division II Championship. He has a plan to make those goals reality.

"Our training will make us tired in September but strong for later in the season," Wemple said. "Our top runners won't compete in our opening meet in order to train harder. We'll give our younger athletes a chance to run and gain some experience early."