October 29, 2009

VCU CROSS COUNTRY SQUADS SET FOR CAA CHAMPIONSHIPS THIS WEEKEND

RICHMOND, Va. – If one were to compare the rosters listed in last year’s and this year’s Colonial Athletic Association Cross Country Championship programs for both the men’s and women’s squads at Virginia Commonwealth University, it would be hard to find a ton of similarities.

Most people would think that was a bad thing, but not for the Rams as both teams are primed for big weekends with the CAA Championships just days away.

“I really feel good about this year’s squad,” Men’s Head Coach Julian Spooner said. “A couple of our guys were banged up, but I think we’re coming together at the right time. If everyone runs to their capabilities, we’ll be right there at the top.”

Juniors Walid Berkhedle (Toronto, Ontario) and Axel Mostrag (Krasnik, Poland) were welcome additions to the Black & Gold and have delivered, running as part of VCU’s top-three in three out of the four races this fall.

The two transfers have joined with senior Piotr Dybas (Jaslo, Poland), who has enjoyed yet another solid season as one of the Rams’ top runners. He is coming off one of the best performances of his four-year career as the top collegiate finisher at the Tribe Open.

Rounding out the top five runners for the men’s squad will be sophomore Tyler Simmons (Manassas, Va.) and a battle for the fifth spot between freshmen Justin Kendall (Richmond, Va.) and Brenden Leavitt (Virginia Beach, Va.).

“I’m really looking for our younger guys at the four and five spot to step up this weekend,” Spooner said. “They are all extremely talented and have worked hard this fall, but in order to make a run at the title this weekend, we need them to have their best runs.”

Youth is the theme for the women’s squad as the Rams sport a roster with no upperclassmen.

“Our girls have really worked hard this year and I think we’re ready to improve on our conference finish even more than we did last year,” Director of Women’s Cross Country and Assistant Track & Field Coach Ethan Tussing said.

Sophomores Heather DelaCruz (Williamsburg, Va.) and Nicole Walters (Orange, Va.) are the leaders of the pack and return ready to make their mark on the rest of the CAA.

Joining DelaCruz and Walters have been a stellar pack of freshmen led by Ariana Jones (Sterling, Va.) who was among the Rams’ top two runners in two of the three races this fall.

Last year, the Black & Gold finished eighth at the championships, its best result since 2004.