Frerker: SIUE Men's Cross Country Has Strong Team
Just a week into practice, men's cross country coach Darryl Frerker believes the 2002 men's cross country squad is one of his best yet.
The Cougars return five runners from last year's top seven and will add a handful of talented freshman who should make an immediate impact on the team.
Senior Jason Olszowka (Lockport) is the most notable returnee for the Cougars. Olszowka was the top Cougar finisher at last year's Great Lakes Valley Conference Championships, while finishing ninth overall.
Frerker expects to see more of the same from Olszowka this season.
"Jason has been All-Region three years in a row," said Frerker. "I anticipate him getting back to that position this year. If he makes it 4-4, that will make it one of the best efforts that we've had from an SIUE athlete."
Outside of Olszowka, the rest of the top-seven is still undecided, which Frerker said could be attributed to the amount of depth on the roster.
"We had a lot of guys that knew it was going to be a competitive season and came back in great shape," said Frerker.
Junior's Nick Campbell (Charleston), David Droege (Nashville), Darren Dinkelman (Nashville), Steve McNamer (Charleston) and Dustin Gentry (Charleston), along with sophomore's Jonathon Sadowski (Springfield), Darren Pierce (Freeburg), Ryan Boyll (Normal) and Richard Skirball (Granite City) complete the list of returnees who should vie for a spot in the top-seven.
Five newcomers will join this year's squad to add even more depth to the team. Parkland College transfer Gary Parquette (Naperville) and freshmen Brian Taghon (East Moline), Trae Cotner (Springfield), Matt Davis (Williamsville) and Dane Shaw (Edwardsville) will all look to immediately contribute for the Cougars.
The season will begins at home on September 14 at the Cougar-Bearcat Challenge. The Cougars then travel to Charleston a week later for the Panther Open. Frerker will use these two events to see who is going to step it up to the next level.
"I think when it comes down to getting in the first couple of competitions, we'll start to get an idea of where things are going to spread out," said Frerker. "Cross country is such a mental game. Just because someone practices well doesn't mean they are going to compete well, or vice versa. Some of the guys who don't practice so well end up competing very well."
The Cougars' biggest test may be the Great Lakes Valley Championships to be held in Kenosha, Wis.
With Olszowka being the only senior on the roster, this season promises to be a breakout season for the Cougars. Their experience, determination and talent should bring them to a level to contend for the GLVC Championship.
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