Cross Country Release - 2005 Cross Country Preseason Polls - Guilford College

• 2005 GUILFORD CROSS-COUNTRY OUTLOOK

      GREENSBORO, NC (8/19/05) -- Guilford's cross country teams hope to build off the experience of last year's inaugural season.  Coach Scott Smith faces a new challenge in 2005 after losing his top men's runner (Bo White '05) and the top women's runner (Kendra Potter) from last year's teams.  

However even with these two losses, Smith expects the Quakers to be much more competitive within the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) this year.  "The program is better prepared this season," Smith said.  "Last year there were so many pieces that needed to be put into place, everything, including most of our runners, was new for the cross country program."

Guilford returns six experienced runners from the 2004 squads.  Leading the charge for the men will be junior Jeremy Bante, this year's team captain and the Quakers' number-three runner in 2004.  He will be joined by a pair of experienced returners, Matt Haselton, and Brett McDonough, both of whom improved their personal best time by at least three minutes over the course of last season.  Freshmen Burke Oleszewski and Chris Walker should make an immediate impact on the team based on their strong times from high school.

Junior Keri Stodolski, captains the women's squad.  She posted the third-best individual time on the team in 2004.  Sophomores Johanna Naradzay (last year's Most Improved Runner) and Stephanie Boczenowski also return to the squad.  They are joined by four new runners, including freshman Emily Frenzel, who finished 42nd in the 2004 1A North Carolina State Championships for the Durham School of the Arts.

      With the influx of new runners, depth is less of a concern for the Quakers. Both the men's and women's teams begin the fall with seven student-athletes. "Only the top five runners earn a team score in a meet," Smith said.  "The added depth will allow different runners to step up if someone has a bad day."  The ODAC men's and women's coaches ranked Guilford seventh in their preseason polls, with the top spots going to defending champions Washington and Lee in both polls. 

      "Last year was a great start for our program," Smith said.  "We look forward to continue to build off the progress made from the 2004 squad.

      The teams open the season September 2 at the Mountaineer Open at Appalachian State in Boone, NC.  "The Appalachian State course is a difficult and hilly course," Smith said.  "It will be a great opening event for our team before we travel to Lexington, VA, for the Washington and Lee Invitational."  Four local meets highlight the Quakers' schedule including: the Greensboro Cross Country Invitational September 24, the Hagan Stone Cross Country Classic October 1, the Old North State Cross Country Championships October 15th, the ODAC Championships October 29.  Guilford serves as hosts of the Old North State and ODAC Championships.  "We are very excited to have four meets, including the ODAC championships, at our home course of Hagan Stone Park this fall," Smith said.  "Our runners will be familiar with the course, and it will give our student-athletes a definite advantage."