Runners ready

By Chris Harris
Staff Writer

Men and women’s cross-country began at the start of fall classes. Training under the last few days of the summer heat hasn’t been easy for either squad, and an even harder task is to win the Peach Belt Conference; a job that will be difficult within the competitive Peach Belt Conference.

On the men’s side, the losses of Mike Jimenez to graduation and Jason Conners to Army basic training will force returnees Phillip Harley, David Mead, Jeff Moody, Shawn Sledge and Gray Taylor to carry the weight. Jimenez and Conners were the team’s top one and two runners, respectively.

Not to be forgotten is freshman John Crews from Wilmington. The Hoggard high school graduate finished 10th in the 4-A regionals a year ago. Others who hope to join Crews are freshman Antione Stanley and sophomore transfer Jeriah Griswold. Griswold came to UNCP from Norwich University located in Northfield, Vermont.

The women will have a tougher trail to run, with only three returnees from last season. Sophomores Elizabeth Deltoro, Tiffany Justice and junior Chika Okonkwo will have to fill an enormous void left by their top two runners Kathy Oldham and Naomi D’Amours, who both transferred. Freshmen Melanie Baldridge, Shannon Hauck and Ebony Terry along with junior Barbara Jacobson should provide much needed help for the Lady Braves.

“Both squads will have to run as a group for us to be competitive,” Larry Rodgers said, who is entering his 23rd year as head coach.

“Keeping the times close between the each runner is the key for us to be successful,” Rogers said.