By
Francisco Merced
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Lopez, Chaplin lead Arizona
The UA men's and women's cross country teams will open their respective seasons tomorrow with targets on their backs. Arizona is the favorite to win both the men's and women's portions of the Purdue Invitational in West Lafayette, Ind.
After many strong practices during the past few weeks, the Wildcats are ready for the season to begin.
"The way the kids look in practice, I think we'll have a good meet and a good season," Murray said.
Boasting a No. 5 ranking and returning four of the top five from last year's Pacific 10 Conference champions, the men are poised to back up the early season notoriety against a field which includes host Purdue along with Butler, DePaul, Illinois and Iowa.
The Fighting Illini, however, will not be sending a women's team to the Purdue Invitational, making the field less of a challenge for the women.
The biggest improvement for both teams will be the added depth on both sides as UA will be sending nine runners to vie for the top six positions.
"I think the biggest thing over last year will be the depth we have this year," Murray said. "Last year we weren't quite as strong in the latter spots as we can be this year"
The Wildcats' improvement can be accredited to the quality of incoming freshmen and transfer students.
For the men, senior David Lopez will lead the Wildcats while juniors Mike Cramer, Tom Prindiville and Steve Smith make up the "core four" as another four freshman - Andrew Carlson, Kevin Engelhardt, Mike Howard and Matt McInvale - along with junior Rick Weis, will compete for the final spots.
On the women's side the Purdue Invitational will mark the first time the Wildcats will compete in a 6000 meter race - up from the previous 5000m mark.
Having the addition of Boise State sophomore Nicole Gurnicz, Murray expects improvement from the women.
"(Gurnicz) looks like she'll vie for one of our top spots," Murray said.
With No. 1 runner and three-time All-American junior Tara Chaplin leading the way, the 31st ranked Wildcats are geared to show they were sorely overlooked at ranking time.
Arizona sophomore Kimberely Bates, juniors Jennifer Burris and Erin Doherty, senior Katrin Engelen, sophomores Nicole Gurnicz and Harisimran Khalsa, freshmen Beth Hoge and Andrea Schwartz will all participate along with Chaplin at the Purdue Invitational.
Doherty anticipates a strong year for the team, despite lack of respect in the national polls.
"The team should do very well with the added depth," Doherty said.
The real test for UA will come when the runners hit the field and try to live up to the high expectations.
"I'm real anxious to see how we compete this weekend," Murray said.
