MEN

Quality and depth seem to be the key ingredients of the 2006 Red Hawk men's and women's cross country teams. That should come as no surprise to those who have followed the cross country program over the past eight years. The Red Hawks have been among the best and most consistent Wisconsin Private College and Midwest Conference programs during that time.

The men have had seven consecutive first division finishes in the MWC and in the Wisconsin Private College championships. The Red Hawks won the Private College Championship in 2002, as well as last year, which was arguably the best in school history. Ripon was also victorious in last year's St. Norbert and Carroll College invitational meets. A repeat is not out of the question, but they'll have to do it without MWC medalist and two-time NCAA national qualifier, Dave Billings, who was lost to graduation.

"Dave had an awesome career, a storybook career," said head coach Robert Duley. "His accomplishments were a result of dedication and hard work, which are qualities that separated him from everyone else."

The Red Hawks will also have to replace four-year letter winner Pete Nielsen.

"Pete provided us with the intangibles," said Duley. "His work ethic and leadership will be difficult to replace."

A very solid group of seniors and juniors will look to keep the tradition of success going for the Red Hawks. Seniors Aaron Kammer, Nathan Miyasaki, Mike Treder, Matt Hildebrandt and juniors, Jim Hein, Bryan Schneider, Harrison Smith, Youssef Azmani, and Adam Woods give coach Duley his most experienced group ever.

Hein (First Team All-Conference and First Team All-State) and Schneider (First Team All-Conference and Second Team All-State) ran number two and number three all of last year.

"If I have to have a team without Dave Billings, then Jim and Bryan are a great duo to build around," said Duley. "Like all good runners they have a passion for running and know how to compete."

Last year, running at either fourth or fifth was Harrison Smith (Third Team All-State). This season, Smith will be expected to compete for the number one spot.

"Harrison is a very talented runner who is just started to realize his potential. I believe he can be a top five runner in the MWC," Duley said.

The talent doesn't end there. Aaron Kammer, Nathan Miyasaki and Mike Treder each had a season long battle for the sixth and seventh spots on the team last season and are expected to battle for a top five spot this year.

"All three kids have a great work ethic and can be among the best in the Midwest Conference," Duley said.

Hildebrandt, Azmani, Woods and sophomore Peter Azmani also add valuable depth.

"They are all tough kids who give you everything they have," Duley said.

Adding to the excitement are six first-year runners in Brian Fatla (Crandon, Wis.), Kevin Meserve (Olympia, Wash.), Andrew Peck (Hartford, Wis.), Jeff Presslein (Algoma, Wis.), Matt Skoflanc (LaSalle, Ill.), and Paul Williams (New London, Wis.).

"I believe all of our first-year athletes will be very good college runners," Duley said. "Several could end up pushing the veterans for a top seven spot on the team in their first year."

Entering his ninth year as head coach, Duley believes he has a serious contender for the Midwest Conference and Private College Championships.

WOMEN

Last year's women's team battled injury, lack of depth and lack of experience all season, as they were made up entirely of freshman and sophomores. This season, they will try to bounce back with a combination of experience and a good recruiting class. Leading the charge will be junior Brittany Dick (First Team All-Conference and Second Team All-State). Dick was the team's number one runner all of last season.

Another veteran that will be counted on will be Rebecca Duley. Duley was a First Team All-Conference runner as a freshman, but battled injuries last season, in her sophomore year. Healthy again, Duley should help lead the Red Hawks back to conference contending status.

"Brittany and Rebecca are very talented runners. They should compete for a top five spot in the MWC," coach Duley said.

Two other juniors, Amanda Beers and Sara Kussman are also expected to be major contributors.

"Amanda and Sara are mentally tough runners who I believe will have a solid year for us," said Duley. "Our junior class provides us with experience and leadership, which are qualities that were missing last year."

Sophomores Erin Beggs and Margaret Nedow will also figure to be a big part in this years plan for the Red Hawks.

"Erin had a great track season as a freshman and I expect her to use that experience to propel her to success in cross country this year," Duley said.

Much like the men, a nice recruiting class will join the women's program this season. Seven first year runners have joined the team, including, Katelyn Brown (Chicago, Ill.), Gwendolyn Casey (Amherst, Wis.), Jessica Davey (Berlin, Wis.), Angie Hein (Ripon, Wis.), Sarah Leeman (Neenah, Wis.), Whitney Levash (Brillion, Wis.), and Heather Zager (Nekoosa, Wis.). Three of those runners (Davey, Hein, and Levash) have state meet experience and one (Leeman) comes from one of the strongest programs (Neenah HS) in the state.

"If these seven women stay together for four years I believe they will accomplish unprecedented success as a team," said Duley. "Each has the potential to do very well on the collegiate level."

The future looks bright for the Red Hawks, but it is the present that has everyone excited about the women's team.

"Overall, I really like this team. They have the same work ethic and talent level as the men and will be very competitive each time out," said Duley. "I have very high expectations for them and believe that they will make their presence known at every meet they attend."