8.29.2011

FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University will open its 2011 men's and women's cross country campaigns this week. The Lancers will run in the VMI Relays on Friday, September 2, at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington beginning at 4 p.m. Fifth-year head coach Catherine Hanson returns five lettermen while adding seven newcomers, including six freshmen, to the men's program. Coach Hanson returns six letterwinners and has added four newcomers, including two freshmen, to the women's program.

Head Coach Catherine Hanson
“As much as I dislike early season races, I am happy to give the runners placing more towards the back of the squad a good chance to see where they really are, and what they need to do to make the top seven. This is the best group of student-athletes that I have coached during my four-year tenure here, and they should really set the tone for the future of the program. I am really having fun.”

A Look At Longwood
The Lancers are coached by fifth-year head coach Catherine Hanson. Longwood returns five lettermen to the men's team, led by junior Sean Flynn|Goodview (Roanoke Catholic) along with seniors Alex Strittmater|Haymarket (Battlefield) and Robert Webb|Williamsburg (Lafayette). Flynn posted a team-best (NCAA distance) 10K time of 34:30 last season, followed by Strittmater (35:44) and Webb (36:02). Longwood returns six letterwinners to the women's team, led by senior Jessica Alley|New Castle (Craig County), along with juniors Megan Short|Sicklerville, N.J. (Timber Creek), and Jenna Sprinkle|Buchanan (James River). Alley posted a team-best (NCAA distance) 6K time of 24:00 last year, followed by Short (24:36) and Sprinkle (24:54).

A Look At The VMI Relays
VMI hosts an early meet which is a great opportunity for those kids who may not fall into the top seven to go and really compete, according to Coach Hanson. Most schools tend not to race their top seven this early in the season and will continue to train them through the early races. VMI runs a non-traditional style relay as both men and women will run with partners, women competing in 2 x 1.5 mile distances, and men running 2 x 2.0 mile distances. Other schools attending in addition to Longwood and VMI include James Madison, Radford, Cincinnati, and Concord (W.Va.).

2011 Captains
Senior Justin Cooke|Chesterfield (Manchester) will serve as the men's team captain for the first time, while senior Jessica Alley|New Castle (Craig County) is serving as the women's team captain for the second consecutive season.

Top Newcomers
Longwood has added six freshmen to the men's team this year, including top newcomers Nick Reed|Fairfax (Robinson), Russell Reed|Onemo (Mathews), and Trey Thomas|Stafford (Mountain View). The Lancers have added two freshmen to the women's team: Elisabeth Drake|Hayes (Gloucester) and Brittany Foote|Goshen, N.Y. (Goshen).

Injury-Free, Ready To Run
Longwood junior Alisha Royal|Vinton (William Byrd) has battled nagging injuries during her first two years. This year, however, she is injury-free as the season begins, and expectations are high for the third-year team member. Royal was a two-time All-State honoree in high school and Region Champion as a senior.

Up Next
Longwood will participate in the James Madison Invitational on September 10 in Harrisonburg at 10 a.m.