Central Michigan University Athletics
Cross Country Goes to Oakland
10/8/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - The Central Michigan cross country teams will travel to Oakland on Friday for the Oakland Invitational, a tune-up event as the Chippewas look ahead to the PreNationals the following weekend in Louisville, Ky.
Coach Matt Kaczor said the Chippewas will hold out most of their top runners at Oakland. The PreNationals are scheduled for Oct. 17 at E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park, hosted by Lousiville.
The NCAA Championships are scheduled for the same site on Nov. 21.
"It's a preview of the course and we'll get a chance to see some of the top-level teams in the country" at the PreNationals, Kaczor said.
"What we're really trying to do is get our top nine on each squad and a top seven for the end of the season. Everything is a culmination, getting them ready for what I call the championship season.
"We've got some championship talent, but it's like any sport, we have to all fire on the same day. Trying to play it smart, not race everybody in every event and bury them into the ground."
CMU's top runners won't run at Oakland, meaning men's squad members Nate Ghena, Silas Dekalita, Joseph Emmanuel and Spencer Nousain won't compete. On the women's side, Breanne Lesnar, Kristen Olling and Kelly Schubert won't compete.
The CMU women's lineup comprises freshmen Samantha Allmacher, Katie Kasper and Megan O'Neil will be joined by juniors Esther Bell, Michaela Bundy, Hannah Davis, Jamie Madrigal and Katie Weiler, and seniors Alyssa Dyer and Brooke Moran. The men's lineup is led by senior Monte Scott along with junior Casey Voisin. Sophomore Alec Toreki will also run along with freshmen Mark Beckman, Luke Anderson, Ben Yagiela and Alec Esparza.
Players Mentioned
