Aug. 28, 2008

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. - The loss of five graduating seniors has left some holes to fill for the 2008 men's cross county team; but experienced returnees combined with talented newcomers are reasons for optimism.

Andrew Northrup will likely be the biggest loss from last year. He led the team all of 2007 with an impressive top 25 individual finish at every race. Sophomore Andy Lepkowski seems the likely candidate to take on that task stepping in for Northrup. Lepkowski had a strong 2007 season as the team's second runner, placing in the top 35 individually at every race last season. He posted a season best 8k of 25:26 and 32:56 for 10k this past year.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing Andy develop this season," said assistant coach Adrien Ricci. "He had some major setbacks last year that cost him the opportunity to really find out what kind of top level cross-country runner he could become."

Also returnining for the Flyers is Kevin Dockemeyer, Jeff Ritzema, Seth Schultz, and Patrick Walsh.

"What could make or break this year's season is the willingness of our returners to make the commitment to put in the amount of work it will take to match previous teams' success," Ricci said.

The addition of six new first-year runners has the future of the men's team looking promising. Highlighting the group is freshman Scott Tanis, the top incoming recruit.

"Scott is just starting to come into his own. As a three-sport athlete in high school, Scott never had the luxury of running year-round," said Ricci. "His work ethic and tremendous dedication to the sport are qualities that I admire in him that will ultimately serve both his career and our team's well."

This fresh new group also includes Ross Goers, Rigoberto Bernal, John Deutsch, Siefar Khamo, and Edgardo "Rocky" Medero.

"There is a lot of potential that exists and is waiting to be fully developed in Ross, Rigo, John, Siefar, and Rocky," said Ricci. "They all come from solid high school programs who successfully laid the foundation for them to be competitive collegiate athletes."

The 2007 team team finished with a fourth place finish in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, a strong showing behind three regionally ranked teams, two of which qualified for the national meet. However, the conclusion to the men's 2007 season was a disappointing one. Ranked 10th heading into the regional meet, the men finished a less than impressive 12th place, unable to make up the loss of a mid-race injury of a key member of their top five.

But now the Flyers need to shake off the disappointing finish of 2007 and move forward. The challenge in 2008 is to battle for a top three finish at the conference meet and a top eight finish at the regional meet two weeks later.

Women's Preview

The women's cross country team finished 2007 with an eighth place finish in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, a mere four points from sixth place. Their impressive point total is notable because it was the lowest score the women's team has produced in the past six seasons.

The women concluded their season at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional finishing 14th, the highest team finish in eight years. With the loss of three key seniors, including Terran Wertz who led the team at both the conference and regional meet, the women's team has some tough shoes to fill.

Kathryn Hague, who is now in her second season at Lewis, looks like a prime candidate to slide into the lead spot as the top returning athlete for the women's team. Hague consistently finished as the team's second runner for her first collegeiate season in 2007.

"Kathryn is a very strong athlete both mentally and physically. I can always count on her to give everything she has to give, leaving it all on the cross country course," Ricci said. "There are great things to come as the second year of her collegiate career begins to unfold."

Becky Herbert also returns for her fifth year to finish her final cross country season as a Flyer.

"Becky has had much success in the past, but has yet to have a full year of continual training and competition that wasn't hindered by injury," said Ricci. "With Becky healthy this season, she is going to make a huge contribution to the team's overall success."

Other key returnees to the 2008 squad include Hailey Justes, Nicole Koutzas, Pierra Sobodas, and Danielle Thompson.

Beginning their debut season for the Lewis Flyers is a trio of women who have had very successful high school careers. Based on past precedence, Julie Jarrett, Ashley Lucas, and Patricia Swayka all have bright futures as Flyers. All three combined have garnered multiple All-Conference finishes in both cross-country and track, in addition to multiple experiences at the state meet level for both cross country and track.

"I am very excited about the caliber of women athletes I've brought in for this season. Julie, Ashley, and Patti come to Lewis with determined, diligent attitudes and a willingness to become the best athletes they can become while at Lewis," said Ricci. "They are going to be critical to our team's success. Their persistence and work ethics will set great things in motion to help improve upon the women's team past achievements."

The women's team hopes to finish in the top five in the Great Lakes Valley Conference and top 10 at the Great Lakes Regional in November.

Both teams will open their season on August 29th at the Elmhurst College Earlybird Invitational in Elmhurst, Ill.