By Zoe Staum ’14

Men’s Cross Country

Tonight’s Lehigh Invitational kicks off a new season of men’s cross-country and the Leopards have a lot to be excited about. With all-star William Volkmann ’13 and a few unusual training methods, the team has the potential to be competitive.

Co-Captain Volkmann, nicknamed the “Volker” by his teammates, is the team’s number-one runner. Fellow Co-CaptainDayne Mosconi ’13 said his teammate has a chance of placing top ten at the Patriot League Championships.

Volkmann agreed. “This year, I would like to place high in the Patriot League Championships.”

There is no question that Volkmann has put in the work, running up to 100 miles a week near the end of the summer.

However, Volkmann was not the only runner preparing this summer as the whole team traveled to the Poconos for a week of preseason captain’s practice. When they weren’t running, the team gathered for a different type of training: beach volleyball.

“We really get into beach volleyball,” Mosconi said. “It helps us bond as a team.”

The trip has become an annual tradition for the team. Joining Volkmann and Mosconi on the squad is Chris Parker ’13, Derrick Hargwood ’14, Sam Brinton ’14, Andrew Haff ’15, Andrew Warshauer ’15, Thomas Day ’16, and Matt McMurray ’16.

The team is eager to prove that even a small squad of nine runners can be competitive.

“We’re definitely the dark horse team this year,” Mosconi said. “We can do a lot and exceed people’s expectations.

Although they are excited for the first race, they are not placing too much emphasis on it.

“It’s a good indicator of where everyone is just ‘cause it’s the first meet,” Volkmann said. “We want to judge our individual fitness level, but it’s really a non-pressure meet.”

Women’s Cross Country

After an intense summer of training, the women’s cross-country team returned to Lafayette one week early to prepare as a team for the upcoming season. All of their preparation will be put to the test tonight in the season opener Lehigh Invitational.

The primary goal for the squad was returning to College Hill in shape and healthy. Co-Captain Julissa Muschlitz ’13 echoed those goals leading up to the first race.

“It’s about not getting injured and knowing your body too,” Muschlitz said. “Everyone trains a little bit different but a lot of it is just getting in the mileage.”

With a small roster, there is potential for a disadvantage, but Muschlitz does not see it that way. “It’s not always about quantity, it’s about quality.”

Quality will be essential with the high goals set by the team and their head coach, Julio Piazza. Starting with today’s Lehigh Invitational, the team is looking for a handful of top-twenty finishes. Objectives for the season involve all team members improving and setting personal records.

“We have only six meets so you don’t have that much time, so every race has to be a better race than the last,” she said.

Joining Muschlitz on the roster is fellow co-captain Rose Willey ’14, Hallie Farber ’14, Elizabeth Troisi ’14, Sim Bains ’15, Vicky Luongo ’15, Grace Watters ’15, Stephanie Benko ’16, Katherine Culver ’16, Zoe Nagasing ’16, and Kelly Callahan ’13.

The team is not completely healthy, however. An injured Troisi will not be competing today and it is unclear when she will return.

Three of the team’s top runners were lost to graduation and it is uncertain whether any of the freshmen will fill that void.

“Really it’s anybody’s game this year, whoever wants to step up,” Muschlitz said. “Tonight’s meet could serve as a good indicator of what to expect this year from women’s cross country.”