Chris Coduto/Arizona Daily Wildcat Junior Robert Cheseret, left, last year's Pacific 10 Conference male cross country Athlete of the Year welcomes the idea that he will be challenged by teammate Mohamed Trafeh - the Pac-10 conference male Newcomer of the Year. This season, the cross country team will return one senior, six juniors and three sophomores.

How can a team build on a season capped by having its star runner become the conference athlete of the year?

Have it done again - or for Mohamed Trafeh, claim your teammate's title as your own.

The Arizona men's cross country team returns top-flight talent in the sophomore Trafeh, who was named Pacific 10 Conference male Newcomer of the Year and the reigning Pac-10 male cross country Athlete of the Year in junior Robert Cheseret.

"(Having Cheseret) really helps out a lot," said head coach James Li. "I think he's starting to really assume (the leadership) role right now."

Trafeh has reason to believe that he might be able to pry the title from Cheseret's grasp - Cheseret was named Newcomer of the Year following the 2003 season.

If it were up to him, Trafeh would follow in his teammate's footsteps. But he said he has some reservations about it happening in 2005.

"I don't think I can take him this year," he said. "Maybe next year if I keep improving, but this year I don't think so."

"Robert is definitely looking to defend that (title)," said Li, with a laugh. "I'm sure of that."

Cheseret welcomes the idea of a new challenger, regardless of his chances.

"That's a good thing," he said. "If you have something to look forward to, then it makes you work hard, and you do what it takes to get you there."

Trafeh's path to becoming the Pac-10's top runner should prove arduous - even without the task of taking that title from his talented teammate.

"Being a freshman and newcomer of the year is one thing, but being athlete of the year where you have everyone (to compete against), you really have to leap-frog a lot of people," Li said.

Li said he has often had to keep his two stars from overexerting themselves in heated competitions with each other.

"It could definitely be a problem," said Li, with a slight smile. "But it's a good problem to have."

A year removed from placing eighth in the NCAA West Region, the men's team returns many seasoned veterans, among them one senior, six juniors and three sophomores.

"I think we have a better team than we've had in a long time," Cheseret said. "I think since I've been here, this is the best team."

A lone freshman, Dylan Fitzpatrick, joins the ranks for the 2005 season. Described by his coach as a "good, versatile runner," Fitzpatrick is the reining individual California Division IV champion, but will likely use the season to merely hone his skills.

"For a guy - high school, true freshman - coming in is very, very tough because they have to run so much longer," said Li, who noted that the distance run in high school competitions is about half as much as in NCAA meets. "He's definitely going to be in a developmental mode."

In comparison, the women's cross country team lost their leader of a year ago in senior Beth Hoge - their lone representative to the NCAA Championships.

Hoge's void will be filled in part by seven incoming freshmen and some veteran depth in seniors Fanice Chepkorir, Jenn Ford and Robin Tierney.

"(Hoge) ... will be difficult to replace, but I think we have the people," Li said. "Based on past performance, (Chepkorir) will definitely be the leader.

Li believes the freshmen women should be able to have an immediate impact upon the team's success for several reasons.

"One, because of their talent level," he said. "Two, because the distance change (from high school) for women is not quite as much as for men."

Even with the loss of Hoge, Li said, he's confident in the 2005 roster.

"We're going to start making some progress in terms of the level of performance," Li said. "This year I think we'll start to go on the upswing."