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Behind The Scenes Of Cross Country Photo Day
CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland State cross country team reported for preseason workouts yesterday (Thursday, Aug. 16), beginning the 2012 season with team meetings and photo day. Head coach Joe Jaketic, who is entering his seventh season with the team, welcomed back five returners and four newcomers.
"I am so excited for the new season to start. We will have a different look this year, but I am excited to see what it brings," Jaketic said. "We had our first practice of the year this morning and everyone looked good. They were all ready to compete and excited for the start of the new season."
Senior Rachel Niemi and sophomore Katie Webb will serve as co-captains for 2012, and are joined by junior Ashley Berlin and sophomores Tori Holt and Angela Kirila as the veterans of the squad. Combined, this group ran in 40 races last season, and led the Vikings to a fourth place finish at the Horizon League Championship, the best finish in program history.
"I'm really not sure what to expect this year having lost such a large senior class last season," Jaketic said. "We are lacking some depth this year so we will have to be very careful when it comes to injuries because that could really hurt us. Our strength this season will be running as a team and encouraging each other during practices and during live meets."
This year's newcomers include three freshmen, Maddie Korak, Ashley Lydic and Megan O'Keefe and one sophomore, Amanda Kalain.
"The newcomers all came in with a lot of enthusiasm and were ready to get to work. The adjustment for them will come when they start classes in a few days, but I have no doubts that this group will be able to handle both their running and academic commitments," Jaketic said.
The Vikings will begin the 2012 season on Saturday, September 1 at the Flyer Invitational in Kettering, Ohio. CSU will then compete in six additional races before the Horizon League Championship, which is scheduled for the end of October.
