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Cross Country Eyes Improvement in 2006
8/15/2006 12:00 AM | Cross Country
Aug. 15, 2006
As the University of Utah cross country team begins its 2006 season, second-year head coach Kyle Kepler looks at his squad and sees that it has rare opportunities in front of it.
Those opportunities: to lay the foundation for success and to lead this team to the next level.
"These athletes have a unique chance to make this program into something very special," said Kepler. "It's essentially a new beginning and it's exciting for the student-athletes, our coaching staff and alumni to experience.
"I feel that in working together, we will recapture and build upon the traditions of this program."
The cross country program at Utah has had their successes with eight All-Americans to its credit. Kepler is confident that the success will return once again when cohesiveness and chemistry settles in with the team.
"Our goal is to improve upon our 2005 finish," said Kepler. "To do that, it's important that we create team chemistry and unity this season. That is going to be critical if we plan to meet our goal."
The Utes return four of the seven runners from its 2005 squad but it's still a young team. There are only eight runners on the 2006 roster which boasts four sophomores and four freshmen. So, it's up to the youthful 2006 squad lay down the all-important cornerstone.
"This season is what I call the foundation year," remarked Kepler. "What happens this year could very well dictate the future of our program over the next five, ten, even 15 years. These athletes have the opportunity to begin molding this program back to championship calibre."
With such a young team and small roster, chemistry isn't the only key to achieving its goals this year. Health and confidence will also play a role in helping the Utes raise the standard.
"We are literally and figuratively one of the youngest Division I teams in America and we don't have a lot of depth," said Kepler. "So, health is going to be of primary importance."
And, so too will be maintaining focus.
"With such a youthful team, confidence is going to be a factor too," Kepler said. "We can't dwell on the lows nor can we get too high on our successes.
"Our team has to learn how to run at the college level and we have to make sure that it's an even-keeled, enjoyable experience."
 Kellie Anderson  | |
DiGrazia enters 2006 on the heels of a successful freshman campaign. The Elko, Nev., native led the Utes in five of the six races she competed. She capped her rookie season off at the Mountain West Conference Championships, racing the 6k course in a personal best 22:24, finishing among the top 30 in the conference.
Anderson raced in all seven meets last season, turning in a personal best (23:31) at the competitive MWC Championships. However, it was the development that took place during the track season that has excited Kepler about her potential.
"Kellie was a point-scorer at both the indoor (5k) and outdoor (10k) conference meets," Kepler points out.
Meanwhile, Ern raced in the final five races of 2005. A middle-distance runner on the track team, Ern is a solid runner who adds depth to the pack. The Ahlsdorf, Germany, native peaked at the NCAA West Regional meet, clocking a 6k time of 24:07.
"Janett's focus is more on the track as a middle distance runner," notes Kepler. "However, the training and strength gains that cross country provides are important to her overall development."
Lauren Endersen returns after an injury-riddled freshman year in which she ran in two races. After logging a lot of miles in the offseason, Enderson will be looked upon to step in and contribute right away.
"We feel that we have figured out the cause of Lauren's injury last year," said Kepler. "She has been training injury-free this past spring. Her development and ability to step into a meaningful role could very well be a major factor to how much we grow as a team"
The newcomers consist of Alyssa Abbott, Cherise McNair, Rebecca Mackelprang and Stephanie Skoreyko.
"Behind our returning runners, we're young," said Kepler. "But, we're still a hungry and passionate team. Our student-athletes chose Utah because they knew they could come in and contribute right away. They knew that they could make an immediate difference."
Abbott brings a wealth of experience, having raced against some of the top talent in the country. The Reno, Nev., native took second in the state meet in the 800m while taking third in the 1600m and 3200m. She was also runner-up in the regional meet in the 800m and 1600m.
McNair was a top-20 finisher at the state championship meet in California the last two years. She also finished 43rd at West Regional meet in 2005.
Mackelprang steadily improved throughout high school and enters the college ranks on the heels of a successful state meet in her senior year. She was fourth at the regional meet and followed that up by taking 14th at the state meet in Washington.
Skoreyko has developed herself into a talented runner with a lot of potential. She has placed in numerous events, even taking fourth at the provincial cross country championships in Nova Scotia, Canada, last year.
"All four of these young women possess a great amount of potential," remarked Kepler. "Their development as a group as well as individuals will be extremely important to our success as a team."
This year, the Utes get to run on their home turf twice, something they haven't done in a few years.
Utah will host the Utah Fall Twilight on Sept. 29 and the MWC Championships on Oct .28.
"Hosting a home meet shows how much the administration and community support our program," said Kepler. "It's a recognition we haven't had in a while and it will give people a means to come out and show their support for us."
Another high-profile meet will be the Chili Pepper Invite in Fayetteville, Ark., on Oct. 14.
"Last year, the Chili Pepper Invite was a turning point for us," recalls Kepler. "We learned the most about ourselves at that meet and realized what is expected from us at a championship meet."
The 2006 campaign begins on Sept. 2 when the Utes venture to Reno, Nev., for the Chase Race.
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