JBU cross country ready to start season

Heading into its fifth year of competition, John Brown University's cross country program continues to head in the right direction.

Both the men's and women's teams finished fifth at the Sooner Athletic Conference Meet last season, and the hope is that the Golden Eagles can keep climbing the ladder in 2014.

"I'm hoping we took a major leap forward over the last year and a half," said JBU coach Scott Schochler, who's entering his second season in charge of the program. "The kids seemed to commit to training more efficiently last year. They trained all spring long. We picked up some really good freshmen and new runners. I think we're making progress, and if we make a little progress every year we'll be all right."

JBU has a total of 24 runners participating -- 12 for the men and 12 for the women, an increase of three runners for each.

The Golden Eagles are currently scheduled to participate in four regular season meets plus the Sooner Athletic Conference Meet held Nov. 8.

JBU will open its season Saturday at the Arkansas Tech Invitational, which had to be moved to Fort Smith for this year's race.

On Oct. 4, the Golden Eagles will run at the Chile Pepper Festival in Fayetteville and then participate a week later in the NAIA National Preview in Lawrence, Kan.

JBU's final regular season meet will be Oct. 18 at Ozarks (Mo.) Invitational in Point Lookout, Mo.

"We went to four (meets) last year and four to five seems an ideal number for us," Schochler said.

Men (8K)

Former Siloam Springs standout Marcos Gutierrez -- a senior -- is the Golden Eagles' top returning runner, Schochler said.

Sophomore Levi Nordmeyer of Rogers had a strong spring and Schochler is expecting good things out of him.

Freshman Alex Thomas could challenge Gutierrez and Nordmeyer for the top spot on the team, Schochler said.

Junior Kenny Crane had a strong fall and spring last year, while sophomore Kent McDonell had a "great summer of training," Schochler said.

The Golden Eagles signed several kids out of the Wichita, Kan., area in Jake Braschler, Justin Riffel and Harrison Briscoe.

"They're going to push our upper classmen and push each other," Schochler said. "By the end of the season they should be strong runners for us."

Schochler expects Thomas Bearden and Trevor Magness to push the leaders.

"By end of the seaosn we're going to have a hard time picking our top seven," Schochler said.

Senior Tyler Awe is returning from injury but is expected to provide good leadership to the younger runners.

Sophomore newcomer Aaron Stafford had a strong summer as well.

Women (5K)

The women's team has a strong group of newcomers and veterans, Schochler said.

Senior Kari Miller was the team's top runner a year ago, and she and fellow senior Kelsey Rae lead the Golden Eagles.

Juniors Claire Greathouse and Elizabeth St. Louis have trained hard and consistently, Schochler said.

"They've continued to improve this fall," he said.

Sophomore Abbie Melby will be a solid performer, Schochler said.

"Abby is a good solid worker and she'll help in practice," he said.

Another sophomore, Annie Brown, should compete with Miller for the Golden Eagles' top runner.

"We probably have three to four girls competing to be our top two runners," Schochler said.

Included in that mix may be fifth-year senior Whitney Brannan, former JBU soccer player.

"She may end up being our No. 1 runner," Schochler said. "She has looked very strong in our workouts this fall."

Freshmen Erin Haley from Jessieville could also be a top contender, while Kaitlyn Collier of Springdale Har-Ber is expected to be in the mix.

Jennifer Poole out of Conway has looked good in works, Schochler said.

Abigail Danley from Missouri is a newer cross country runner and is progressing very quickly, Schochler said.

"It's going to be hard," he said. "I don't know that I can predict who our top seven are going to be. Our top three to four runners on the women's side should be fairly strong."