Cross Country runs with positive outlook

Both the men’s and women’s cross country teams are tabbed to finish in the top 10 this season, according to a press release from CSC Sports Information.

The RMAC released their preseason cross country poll Tuesday, predicting the women to finish ninth in the Cross Country Coaches Poll, while the men are predicted to finish 10th in the same Coaches Poll. Both teams are expected to improve from a season ago, Head Coach Brian Medigovich said.

“I think we are going to have a good year and I can see a lot of runners having career bests by season’s end, while improving as a team,” Medigovich said.

The men, who finished ninth in the conference in 2014, will have plenty of depth with 16 runners, with seniors Alejandro Garcia, of Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, and Evans Koech, of Nairobi, Kenya, leading the way.

Garcia stood out as a transfer from Gillette College. He placed 26th at the RMAC meet, which was the best on the team.

Koech also showed signs of improvement, finishing 27th at the Regional meet.

The women are in a similar position with 11 runners. They are guided by seniors Jayme Nunes, of Alliance, and Rebecca Volf, of Wood River, who help lead the women to an 11th place finish in the conference in 2014.

Nicky Banzhaf, junior of Chadron, will return after she finished second among Eagles at the Regional meet, in 63rd place.

The Eagles will travel to Rapid City, South Dakota, for their opening meet hosted by South Dakota School of Mines, Friday.