2008 Woodie Awards
A home trot through Mount Pleasant
Men hope to surpass Eastern Michigan for title
By: Aaron Sides
Issue date: 10/26/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
The Mid-American Conference Championships have been on the minds of the men's cross country team all season.
A season's worth of anticipation comes to an end at noon Saturday at Riverwood Resort in Mount Pleasant.
Central wants nothing less than to win a conference championship in front of a home crowd. However, a few obstacles stand in the Chippewas' way.
The first of those obstacles is defending MAC champion Eastern Michigan. The Eagles have an experienced team that has been ranked at the top of the conference all season.
"Eastern has a lot of depth and experience," said coach Craig Fuller. "They have a large number of guys who can run up front."
Another big threat to CMU's title hopes will be Miami University. The RedHawks are a younger team than EMU, but have been posting times similar to that of the Eagles' runners.
Besides these two teams, Central also has to watch for other teams who could make a run for the title. Fuller feels some teams are uncertain about what the Chippewas can do.
"We haven't shown much to indicate that we're a top-three team," he said. "Ohio and Kent State are other teams that believe they can beat us."
The top seven finishers in this race will be named first team all-conference, while the next seven will earn second team All-MAC. The Chippewas will need at least five runners to finish in the top 14 if they hope to win.
"We're going to have to try to get close to the front early," said senior Andrew Manning. "Everyone will have to know where they will have to be in the last part of the race."
Fuller expects senior Matt Loiselle, sophomore Riak Mabil and freshman Sammy Kiprotich to set the pace for CMU.
"They have been the dominant three so far this year," he said. "I expect them to be vying for first team all-conference."
Loiselle and Manning, Central's only two seniors, will be a big part of how the entire team performs. They have been looked upon all year as leaders, and know the younger runners feed off their success.
"There is pressure on the whole team, but there is added pressure on the seniors to lead the way," Manning said. "If we run a good race, I think everyone will run well."
sports@cm-life.com
A season's worth of anticipation comes to an end at noon Saturday at Riverwood Resort in Mount Pleasant.
Central wants nothing less than to win a conference championship in front of a home crowd. However, a few obstacles stand in the Chippewas' way.
The first of those obstacles is defending MAC champion Eastern Michigan. The Eagles have an experienced team that has been ranked at the top of the conference all season.
"Eastern has a lot of depth and experience," said coach Craig Fuller. "They have a large number of guys who can run up front."
Another big threat to CMU's title hopes will be Miami University. The RedHawks are a younger team than EMU, but have been posting times similar to that of the Eagles' runners.
Besides these two teams, Central also has to watch for other teams who could make a run for the title. Fuller feels some teams are uncertain about what the Chippewas can do.
"We haven't shown much to indicate that we're a top-three team," he said. "Ohio and Kent State are other teams that believe they can beat us."
The top seven finishers in this race will be named first team all-conference, while the next seven will earn second team All-MAC. The Chippewas will need at least five runners to finish in the top 14 if they hope to win.
"We're going to have to try to get close to the front early," said senior Andrew Manning. "Everyone will have to know where they will have to be in the last part of the race."
Fuller expects senior Matt Loiselle, sophomore Riak Mabil and freshman Sammy Kiprotich to set the pace for CMU.
"They have been the dominant three so far this year," he said. "I expect them to be vying for first team all-conference."
Loiselle and Manning, Central's only two seniors, will be a big part of how the entire team performs. They have been looked upon all year as leaders, and know the younger runners feed off their success.
"There is pressure on the whole team, but there is added pressure on the seniors to lead the way," Manning said. "If we run a good race, I think everyone will run well."
sports@cm-life.com
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