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Cross country team looking to run at the front of the Pac

The UA men's and women's cross country teams are heading into the 1999 season without two of the most prolific runners in school history.

Amy Skeiresz and Abdi Abdirahaman are gone, and head coach Dave Murray now has the job to search for the top runners on both sides.

"There is a lot of potential, but there is a big question mark as to what is going to happen," Murray said.

The team worked individually over the summer to gradually increase their distance until they were back to where they left off a year ago.

"Based on the workouts within the last two weeks, I am very happy with the way things are going," Murray said. "Most everyone came back in the same condition they left in at the end of last season."

The first cross country meet will take place on Sept. 11 at University of California at Irvine.

"Our team is in good shape and this weekend we should have a good meet," senior Jeremy Lyon said.

The men's team has the opportunity to top last year's team as they have six of the seven top runners returning.

The top three returnees are Lyon, senior Micheil Jones and junior David Lopez.

Jones proved he is capable of filling recently graduated Abdi Abdirahaman's shoes during the track and field season last year, where he developed into a fine distance runner.

Sophomore Steve Smith, junior Rick Weis, senior Mike White and two of the biggest surprises, senior Brent Pedersen and sophomore Mike Cramer, are also returning.

Two newcomers, Brigham Young University transfer Jeff Bray and freshman Wade Juntunen along with Tom Prindiville, a redshirt from a year ago, should make a difference for the men's team as well.

"Our team looks pretty tight and I think we'll finish strong," Lyon said.

The women's team will be led by sophomore Tara Chaplin, who as a freshman had a tremendous season running in five NCAA championship events.

"Tara has the potential to take Amy's (Skieresz) place," Murray said. "I look for her to be the up front person on the team."

Also returning is senior Kristen Parrish, who is expected to be the No. 2 runner on the squad.

"So far all of our girls have come back in superior shape, which is great because we're still a fairly young team," Kristen Parrish said. "I hope to have a successful season, if everyone keeps working hard then we'll be in the top percentile."

Filling out the rest of the team are seniors Maia Wright and Claire Becker, junior Katrin Engelen and sophomores Jennifer Burris and Erin Doherty.

Doherty will be key to the development of the team. She is extremely strong as long as she doesn't get the mindset that the 5000-meter is too long, Murray said.

Mandee Ash and Kimberly Bates are two redshirt freshmen who are competing for a spot on the team as well.

"The women's team has a lot of potential, but the men's team is stronger with more experience on their side," Murray said.

This weekend's meet will be a good way to tell what the rest of the season has in store for the cross country team as the Wildcats head to Irvine, Calif., for the UC-Irvine Invitational.