After a season that saw the Capital men's and women's cross country teams reach new found success in 2008, the Crusader harriers look to carry last year's momentum into 2009.
In just her second year at the helm, head coach Rachel Barends put Capital cross country back on the map last season, as both squads fielded competitive units that made noise throughout the season. Among Capital's 2008 highlights were the men's team finishing fourth at the Marietta Invitational, and the women placing in the top half of a tough field at the Wilmington Fall Classic.
"I'm excited to work with the great personalities that are on both teams." Barends said. "We had some success last year and lost some good runners, but I think the runners that are coming back have really grown and matured, and are ready to have another good year."
Sarah Trick, who was consistently among Capital's top-three finishers last season, will spearhead the women's squad.
"Sarah is really an 800-meter track person that has become a very good cross country runner," Barends said. "Her passion for the sport is really inspiring, and she had a great freshmen year. She is a leader on our team and is always a positive force for us. I wish I had 100 Sarah Tricks to coach."
Trick feels that the team's camaraderie will be among their strengths this season.
"Last year our team was really close. It was just great to be with such a fine group of girls and it was awesome to call all of them my teammates," Trick said.
Trick's speed on the track has become an advantage for her on the cross country trails.
"I do think that my speed background is an asset in a cross country race. I think it comes into play at the end of a race when you need places," Trick said. "You can use the speed to pass people up hills and at the end of a race."
Trick will be paired with fellow sophomore Hannah Childs, who looks to have a breakout season after a summer of intense training.
"Hannah broke out last year during the outdoor track season, and has very high goals for this season. She is like a ball of fire," Barends said. "Hannah is always upbeat and passionate about everything that she does. Her personality really rubs off on everyone else on the team."
Barends has also found a sweet incentive for Childs when she races. "I know she loves ice cream, so my goal is to have some with me as motivation for her at the end of each race," Barends said.
Another treat for the women's team will be a talented incoming freshmen class to run with.
"Unlike the men's race, the college race for women is the same as high school. This should help with the freshmen's adjustment period," Barends said. "They all have the ability to be a strong pack and to do special things. I'm really excited to see them work with the girls that are already here."
Childs is also anxious to work with her new teammates. "We have a couple of strong, promising freshmen coming in, and they will contribute right away. I think that these freshmen will be a solid foundation for our team."
Juniors Betsy Mellick and Jackie Swietochowski also look to make solid contributions to the team after three combined years of running experience at the collegiate level.
Senior Joel Eversole leads a men's team that returns three runners from last year's varsity squad.
"We're trying to be contenders and to fight to be in races," Eversole said. "I want the team to place higher at the OAC meet. As good of a year as we had last year, we didn't do as well as we would have liked at the conference meet. That's already a focus for this season."
Sophomore Alex Moore, who finished second on the team at the Cedarville Invitational last season, has high standards for himself for this season and the next three years.
"I wasn't sure if I was going to run cross country last season, so I didn't do much summer running," Moore said. "This season, after a summer of running, I'm in much better shape and ready to go. My goal is to break the 25-minute barrier and be an All-OAC runner by the time I graduate. I won't stop working until I get to that point."
Coach Barends added, "Alex has the potential to be the team's top runner this year. My goal, however, is not for him to run with the pressure of having to be the top runner all the time. I just want Alex to work with his teammates so that he and the team can reach their potential."
Fellow sophomore Conrad Booth also looks to continue his running progression after working his way onto the varsity team last season. Senior Brad Siebert also looks to improve after a year of both running and coaching under Barends as part of his Coaching minor requirements.
"I learned a lot (about cross country) because I was training, coaching, and observing better runners," Siebert said. "I have a much better idea of what to do when compiling my training plan and race strategy. I'm in a lot better shape now as opposed to last year."
Capital will lace up the spikes for the first time in 2009 at the Wittenberg Invitational on September 12.