Cross Country Ready for MAC Championships (Oct. 28)
10/28/1999 12:00:00 PM | Women's Cross Country
Oct. 28, 1999
Toledo, OH -
The University of Toledo men's and women's cross country teams will compete in this weekend's Mid-American Conference Championships to be held on the campus of Kent State University. The women will race at 10:00 am and the men will follow at 11:00 am.
THE COACHING STAFF
The Toledo men's and women's cross country programs are led by head coach Kevin Hadsell. Hadsell is in his second year at Toledo and also serves as the assistant coach for the men's and women's track programs where he coaches the distance runners and the women's multi-event athletes. Prior to Toledo, Hadsell served as an assistant coach at Columbia University (1997-98) and Coastal Carolina University (1993-97).
COACH HADSELL ON THE MEN'S RACE
"We are a very young team with five freshmen and two sophomores in our top-eight. We are looking to lay the groundwork for the future by improving on last year's performances," Hadsell said. "Dave Marhefka has an opportunity to challenge for a spot on the all-conference squad. We were hurt early in the year when our top recruit suffered a season-ending injury over the summer."
COACH HADSELL ON THE WOMEN'S RACE
" I think that we have an opportunity to make history for ourselves. We are one of the favorites for the meet after finishing last a year ago, " said Hadsell. "The women are not only very talented, but they are fearless and will not be intimidated when they step on the line. They believe in themselves and believe in each other."
Hadsell feels as though Kent and Akron are the two favorites. They have both been very tough all year. Kent defeated us at the All-Ohio but we beat Akron in that meet. A week later, Akron beat Kent at the Michigan Interregional. There are also several other schools that you can never count-out of the meet.
"I have a tremendous amount of respect for Mo Banton (Ohio) and Bob Maybour (EMU) and their ability to have their teams ready for the big meets so I have to add them to the mix as well," said Hadsell.
ROCKETS TO WATCH
On the men's side, look to senior captain Dave Marhefka (Westlake, Ohio) to lead the men's squad. He finished 6th at the Mel Brodt Invitational and 10th at the Central Collegiate Championship. Marhefka has been the Rocket's top performer in every meet this season.
Other men to watch are Nate Ontrop (Fr., Ft. Recovery, OH), Orin Hemminger (Fr., Huron, OH), Mark McPherson (So., Iowa City, IA), Chad Ronyetz (Fr., Brunswick, OH), Nick Martin (Fr., Belleville, Ontario), Ed Dargay (So., Middleburgh Heights, OH) and Jason Jindra (Fr., Brunswick, OH).
The women's team is led by newcomer Katherine Smyth (Fr., Nelson, New Zealand) who was last week's MAC Pepsi Runner of the Week after winning the Duquesne Invitational in 17:43. She will be followed closely by former junior college national champions Emily Loroupe (Jr., Nakuru Kenya) and Laura Hribik (Jr., Orchard Park, NY).
Also expected to make an impact at the meet are a group of freshmen and sophomores: Bonnie Stewart (So, Toledo, OH), Sara Vergote (So., Kalkaska, MI), Abby Phillips (So, Attica, OH), Kia Minkkinen (Fr., Turku, Finland) and Courtney Sheffield (Fr., Angola, IN).
