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Men's Cross Country

August 30, 2010
Cyclones will rely on depth, experience in chase for the top

Seeking to improve by leaps and bounds on the 2009 season, the men’s team will have to look no farther than among themselves in 2010. The Cyclones will field the largest men’s team ever in their 11th season, and each of the 15 runners has experience.

"We are blessed with great numbers," said coach Mark Horstmeyer, who has led the men's team since its inception in 2000. "Our challenge will be to find guys who want to step up and use their experience and talent to settle for nothing less than championships. We certainly have the horses to do it."

The harrier squad returns five runners from last year when they finished fourth at the Illinois Skyway College Conference championship and the NJCAA Region IV Division I championship.

Dimitri Dimizas (Richards) is the top returnee after qualifying for the national championship in 2009. Since that final race last November, the team captain hasn’t stopped running and comes into the 2010 season fit and healthy. "Dimitri's work ethic is huge," said Horstmeyer. "We are fortunate to have him back because he will provide leadership to our mostly young team. He knows what it takes to be successful, and I look for him to have an outstanding year."

Other second-year team members are Chris Lindich (Reavis), Rich Sparks (Stagg), Jim Johnson (Reavis), and Jose Gonzalez (Argo). "Since the end of last season, Chris has devoted himself to getting better. He dedicated himself this off season to getting into good shape. I'm really pleased with his efforts. He should help us a lot this year," Horstmeyer said. "Rich, Jimmy and Jose are working hard, and their efforts will pay off. I'm also counting on them to provide leadership to the younger guys."

Leading a long list of newcomers is Jon Altman (Sandburg). "Jon brings a wealth of talent from an outstanding high school program, and we’re expecting great things from him this year," his coach said. Kellen Williams (Leo), Luke Bronson (Bremen), Wilson Tan (Kenwood), Abel Garcia (Morton East), Ben Greer (Stagg), Raul Gonzalez (Argo), Travis Kmetz (Munster), Brian Kolz (Oak Lawn), and Felipe Rivera (Eisenhower) round out the men’s roster.

"Kellen may very well be the fastest guy, and if he can channel that to use over an 8K, he will be very successful. Luke will really contribute for us this year. He had a really good high school career, and I know he wants to make his first year of college running even better. Wilson also has solid middle distance speed, and when he gets into shape, he’ll be a contributor to any success we have.

"Abel is hard working and committed to doing well, and I think he will be a solid performer for us. When Ben is consistent in his workouts, he is good, and I’m excited about what he has the potential to do for us. Raul just goes about his business of getting into shape and improving every day. He’s a bit dinged up now, but he’ll come around and could be a strong factor by season’s end. Travis has a lot of raw talent and a lot of desire that will serve him well this year. He’s a strong runner and has high goals that I believe he can reach. He’s had a couple of setbacks in the early going—injury and illness—but those only motivate him to do better. Brian also has the injury bug, and is slowly coming back to where he can start hard work again. He has a lot of potential that I hope he can tap this year. Felipe has a lot of dedication and works hard. Once he gets into a couple of races early on, he’ll figure out what he has to do to raise his level of competitiveness. I think he will,” Horstmeyer said.

"What I’m really pleased about is that these guys have melded into a team already. They know that they have to race farther, harder and faster at the college level, and it will take everyone helping each other to get it done. We are fortunate to have a lot of potential, and it will be something to see when we get into the thick of the racing season on how they become mature runners. It’s an exciting season. They’re working hard and together. That means success come October," he said.