2006 Media Guide - Washington & Lee - Washington and Lee ...

Washington washington and lee2006 MEN'S SEASON PREVIEWLast season the men's cross countryteam won their second consecutive ODACand State Championship and placed fourthat the NCAA South/Southeast Regionalmeet. This season, Coach John Tucker,who is going into his 18th season, will continueto challenge his team to succeed."Our challenge this year, like every year,is to get ourselves as fit as possible, stayhealthy, and run up to our potential," saidTucker. "We'd like to be in a position againto compete for the ODAC title."Setting the pace this season will be theGenerals' top three runners: sophomoresMichael Welsh, Vance Berry and juniorco-captain Tom Brower."Welsh is a strong candidate for the toprunning position," said Tucker. "He is quietand unassuming, but a force to be reckonedwith and could be a national qualifier thisseason."Welsh placed fifth at last year's ODACChampionship and fourth at the StateChampionship. He was named First TeamAll-ODAC and garnered All-Region and All-State honors.Berry enters the 2006 season following an eighth place finish at last year's ODACChampionships and was named Second Team All-ODAC."Vance is an extremely talented runner," noted Tucker. "He was the indoor ODAC trackmile champion as a freshman and had a great summer of training. The door is wide openfor Vance, who is hungry and looking to have a great season."Co-captain Tom Brower, who missed last season due to injury, will return strong forthe 2006 season. As a freshman, Brower won the W&L Invitational and earned all-regionhonors."Tom came out of high school with impressive credentials and proved he is for real hereas well," stated Tucker. "He was the Senior Footlocker Champion for the Northeast regionin '04. He eats, sleeps and breathes running."While, Welsh, Berry and Brower may be the top three runners this season, the talent ofjunior Andrew Friski and sophomore Alex Jackson can't be ignored-- both are top five caliberrunners.Friski finished 12th at both the ODAC Championships and State Championships. Hewas named Second Team All-ODAC and garnered All-State honors. Jackson earned All-Statehonors and had a great track season."Andrew and Alex will play key roles," said Tucker. "They are hungry. Both have hadgreat summers."Another upperclassman, junior Michael Keenan, could also contribute to the team'ssuccess this season. Keenan, who didn't run as a freshman, finished fifth in his first race asa sophomore and will be a candidate for the most improved runner award."Keenan is a very young runner with limited experience," noted Tucker. "But he trainedlike a champ over the summer and he's seeing the rewards of his efforts."Also, contributing to the strength of the 2006 squad will be senior co-captain DavidKronenfeld and sophomore Anthony Ives."David is a dedicated athlete," stated Tucker. "He leads by example, was last year'smost improved runner and has been a top seven runner. He is highly respected by the team.Anthony has the potential to be a major contributor, having had a great track season lastspring; his momentum will carry him to a competitive position this fall."Freshmen Benjamin Stutts, Elliott O'Brien, Stuart Vassey and Rob Saliers, will add evenmore depth to the team."The freshmen have already shown great potential and will be major contributors," saidTucker.With the hard work, improvement and talent from both the returning runners and thefreshman, it would seem all the cylinders are firing for the Generals."The team knows the competition is working hard too," noted Tucker. "If everyone stepsup to the line together this November, I think we have every reason to be confident."2