Sept. 7, 2007

New-Look Cross Country Squads Begin 2007 Campaign on Saturday

    The Youngstown State cross country teams will have a new look and new philosophy when they begin their 2007 seasons on Saturday at the Tommy Evans Invitational on Saturday morning.
    Although six runners return to the men's squad and seven return on the women's team, a total of 13 newcomers will make up half of each squad. Head Coach Brian Gorby is counting on that boost in numbers to provide the team depth that has been on the short side the past few seasons.
    "This group of freshman may not quite be the most talented we've had come in, but it is definitely the hardest working class we've had in a long time," Gorby said. "They have a great commitment to excellence that we preach over and over. They're already ahead of the game in that aspect."

    Not only will the new group add depth, it will deliver a local flavor to the program. Of the 13 newcomers, 12 are natives of Northeast Ohio and seven are from Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties.
    "I think this group shows our commitment of getting our distance program back to where it used to be." Gorby said.

"Just about all of the freshmen are local, so they have a passion to do well for YSU, and they understand what we're all about here."
    According to Gorby, the teams' success will depend on finishing in a pack instead of having one or two runners place highly every week. Someone will have to step into the top role on both squads as each will be without its top runner from a year ago.

    "Being young our goal is just to keep getting better and better every day," Gorby said. "With our added depth and the great attitude this group has, we're looking to have better results."

    "Our future is definitely bright with the team we have in here," he added. "We demand hard work and success from them, and they demand it from themselves."

Men’s Outlook:
    Sophomore Justin Dickman and senior R.D. Goodright headline the list of returning runners on the men's squad. Joining them will be three other scorers from the Horizon League Championships and two local incoming freshmen who are former state qualifiers.
    Dickman was YSU’s top runner the first meet of the season and placed as the second runner in three other meets during the year. Goodright, a returning team captain, also scored in six meets and was YSU’s top finisher the final meet of the season and placed 36th at the Horizon League Championships.
    "Justin definitely put in the training with one of the best summers that we've had here in a long time," Gorby said. "We'll look to R.D. for his leadership, and I think he's hungry to make a strong push his last year."
    Junior and South Range High graduate Dan Nemergut scored in six meets last year, and sophomore Sean Finnerty finished in the scoring five three times, including the Horizon League Championships.
    Newcomer Joe Copploe from McDonald High placed 25th in Division III at the state meet while Boardman High graduate Jake Lape finished 54th in Division I. Both local products will be counted on immediately to help solidify the team. Poland native Jim Ramson will join Scott Denham and Jake Dialesandro in completing the incoming class.
    Gorby is planning on redshirting senior J.D. Sheppard, the only returning runner to score in every meet last year, and Harold Jones, but both will be ready to go if injuries plague the team.

Women’s Outlook:
    The women’s squad will have five runners who scored in at least four meets apiece and a top incoming local athlete of its own.
    Sophomore Lisa Lee, who was the only runner to finish in the scoring five during every meet last season, will provide a boost at the top for the women’s squad. She led the team the first two weeks of the season and placed second during the final five meets.
    Juniors Madelyn McGhee and Amy Moore and sophomore Jennifer Roman all scored in six meets apiece and were among YSU’s top five runners at the Horizon League Championships. Sophomore Laura Yamsek also scored in the first four meets of the season, including finishing as YSU’s second runner during the first two weeks.
    Freshman Kayla Witmer is a South Range High graduate who should step in and contribute right away. As a senior she finished 17th in the state in Division III, and she was the Northeast District champion.
    "Kayla comes in with solid accolades and a training background unlike anyone we've had come in here for a while," Gorby said. "She's very disciplined in practice and the classroom."
    McDonald graduate Courtney Dombroski also qualified for state and should help add depth. She'll be joined by South Range native Kelcie Witmer (Kayla's sister), Niles McKinley graduate Carlisle Henselman, Malin Heineking from Chardon High and sophomore Lauren Blase from Boardman High.