Cross Country: Team Announces 2007 Schedule
May 23, 2007 02:21 PM | General
May 23, 2007
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University cross country coach Sean Cleary today announced the 2007 schedule.
The Mountaineers return to the course after finishing fourth in the Mid-Atlantic Region and sixth in the BIG EAST in 2006. Cleary, entering his third year as the team’s head coach, says the 2007 season will speak volumes about the squad’s future.
“My expectation for this team is to finish higher than fourth in the region this season,” he says. “Before the season even starts, I can say that we will be very disappointed if we don’t make the NCAA Championship.”
Sophomores Keri Bland, Clara Grandt and Marie Louise Asselin look to lead the team after putting together outstanding first years in 2006. Each runner had at least one top 10 finish, with both Bland and Asselin earning all-Mid-Atlantic Regional honors.
The Mountaineers will slowly build to the meat of their season, starting with the WVU Invite on Sept. 1. Following trips to Lock Haven University and Lehigh University, WVU will get its first chance to see how it measures up in the region at the National Open in University Park, Pa., on Oct. 12.
WVU will race once more following the National Open before traveling to Louisville, Ky., for the BIG EAST Championship on Saturday, Oct. 27. Two weeks later, the team will return to Lehigh University for the Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship.
“This is a young team, but they’ve already mastered big meets,” Cleary says. “They understand me and they understand each other. They’ve achieved those key milestones quicker than any other team I’ve coached. This team isn’t afraid of anyone, and that attitude bodes well for us this season.”
2007 West Virginia University Cross Country Schedule
Sept. 1 WVU Invite Morgantown, W.Va. 10:30 a.m.
Sept. 15 Lock Haven Invitational Lock Haven, Pa. 11:00 a.m.
Sept. 28 Paul Short Invitational Bethlehem, Pa. 5:00 p.m.
Oct. 12 National Open University Park, Pa. 4:00 p.m.
Oct. 19 Kent State Tune Up Kent, Ohio 5:00 p.m.
Oct. 27 BIG EAST Championship Louisville, Ky. 11:00 a.m.
Nov. 10 NCAA Regionals Bethlehem, Pa. 11:00 a.m.
Nov. 19 NCAA Championship Terre Haute, Ind. 11:00 a.m.
Dec. 1 Canadian World Cross Country Trials Ontario, Canada TBD
Feb. 9 USA World Cross Country Trials TBD TBD
