After a long and often hot summer of individual work to get better, William & Mary's cross country teams will begin their fall season Friday morning in the Charlotte Opener.
The Tribe men have their usual outlook going into the season — to win another CAA championship, which would be their 22nd in 23 years. The women are looking to build with a young roster that includes seven true freshmen, some of whom could factor immediately.
Forest Braden's men return five runners who finished 10th or better in the CAA Championships, allowing W&M to outdistance host Northeastern by 11 points for the title. Sophomore Sam Pritchard was second in the 8K race with a time of 25:06.20, just ahead of classmate Jacob Jones (25:06.40).
"Pritchard was a little bit of a surprise last year," Braden said. "He worked his way up from a decent freshman year to a really good sophomore year. He's someone I rely on to be steady and consistent.
"Jacob had a great track season with a big PR in the 1500 (3:47.93). He's really in a good place. He's fit, but there's more fitness to be gained."
Also returning are third-year sophomores Tyler Lipps and Patrick North, who rounded out the top 10 in the CAA Championships. Braden believes several younger runners, including four who redshirted last season as freshmen, will make a move.
We've got some guys who were just coming into their own last year," Braden said. "They had good cross seasons and then had good track seasons and took that next step over the summer. They're looking pretty good."
The women are coming off a fifth-place finish in the CAA last season, but the coaches are encouraged by the incoming recruiting class and team depth.
Scott Jones and Hanna Peterson, who have been working with them, have said there's a good young group and a much deeper group than we've had in the past," Braden said. "Right off the bat, there are some freshmen who will be difference makers.
"It'll be an interesting first meet because there are so many unknowns with our freshman class and some other returners who got themselves in real good shape over the summer. There's a real good excitement with the ladies' team."
Leading the Tribe's returners are junior Kyra Holland and sophomore Arianna DeBoer. Holland was W&M's top finisher in the CAA's 5K race at 22:32.60 (14th overall).
DeBoer is coming off a solid track season in which, as a freshman, she posted the team's two best times in the 5000 meters (5K) at 17:06.71 and 17:12.30. She also competed in the USATF U20 Outdoor Championships, which were held in June in Eugene, Ore.
"I definitely look for her to lead the squad," Braden said. "She's been doing a great job."
The Charlotte Opener will be held at Frank Liske Park in Concord, N.C., which is eight miles the 49ers' campus. The men's race will begin at 9:30 a.m.; the women will follow at 10. Georgia and North Carolina also are scheduled to compete.
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