Cross country rises in rankings

The UA men's cross country team has garnered its highest ranking of the 2003 season.

The Wildcats moved up to the No. 14 spot of the Oct. 21 version of the Men's Mondo National Rankings. Arizona debuted in the Sept. 30 national rankings at No. 18 following the Roy Griak Invitational, when the squad placed sixth in the overall team standings.

The Wildcats have competed in two big national meets during the 2003 season and have performed exceptionally well en route to the squad's current ranking. Their sixth-place showing at the Griak Invitational in Minneapolis caught the eyes of the coaches voting in the weekly poll.

Freshman Robert Cheseret has been one of the main reasons for the Wildcats' ascension. The freshman from Kapsabet, Kenya hasn't placed lower than second in a meet all year.

Cheseret has claimed individual titles at the Dave Murray Invitational and Arizona State University Invitational. He was the runner-up at the Griak Invitational and NCAA Pre-Nationals.

The team has combined a strong mental strategy to go along with its proven ability as distance runners in order to improve.

"We are really strong up front with our top three runners. Everyone else is competing really well," UA head coach James Li said. "We had six runners in the top 100 at the Griak Invitational, and that is why we have moved up in the rankings. We've been able to beat teams that were previously ranked ahead of us, and as a result, the coaches association has realized that."

The squad continues to move in a positive direction as it enters the championship phase of the season.

The Wildcats have three meets remaining on this season's schedule, with the Pac-10 Championships up next. Arizona will travel to Pullman, Wash. for the event, where they will take on an imposing field, including the top-ranked Stanford Cardinal.

The NCAA West Regional on Saturday, Nov. 15 will decide the fate of the team in its quest to return to the NCAA Championships. In the latest West Region poll conducted by the United States Cross Country Coaches Association, the Wildcats moved into the No. 2 spot behind Stanford. Arizona State, Cal Poly and Oregon were right behind.

From an individual perspective, every UA runner looks to be improving at each meet.

"Robert (Cheseret) is one of four or five runners who will be in the hunt for the individual national title. As a true freshman, that is quite remarkable," Li said. "Jonah Maiyo is a middle distance runner, and I have been very impressed with his performances. He continues to get better as the season goes on. Kyle Goklish is finally running where he is supposed to be, and will do better yet."

"The rest of the squad is doing a great job. Eric Bohn and Matt McInvale play a significant role as our No. 4 and No. 5 runners. They have stepped in and significantly improved from last year to help this team to where we are now," Li continued.

Li said his players are set for the championship season.

"This is definitely a big change from last year. I am happy with where we are," he said.