Posted: Aug 30, 2012

Potential is There

Sophomore Lovella Perea is the Owls' top returner in 2012, male or female: Photo By: Sam Ungeheier

Glendora, CA (Cross Country) -- With the start of their 2012 season quickly approaching, the Citrus College Cross Country program is optimistic about their upcoming gauntlet. While relatively new on the men's side, the women return some strong runners and the recruits on both sides are impressive. In other words, the potential is there for a good 2012 campaign.

"Our women's team in particular has been getting better each year, and we have some runners this year that have run some strong times both men and women," said Citrus College Head Cross Country Coach Nicki Shaw. "We hope that speed will continue to be there in the season. Overall we look to be stronger than we were the last couple of years."

The thing that will be different between this year's squad and that of the teams in the past will be the experience that is laden on this team. There aren't many projects on this year's roster, and that should lead to better results overall.

"We have a lot of runners this time around. There are a lot of good high schools in our area, and it's nice to have runners who come into the program having a base," Shaw said. "It's great to have a group of runners who we can help refine as opposed to start from scratch as in years past. For the first time in three years we have a lot of people who have run competitively before."

With cross country running being as much a brain strain as it is physical, this year's team's strength may lie in their mental approach. The squad has taken on an easy going persona that will benefit them when the going gets tough.

"The team is laid back. It's going to help them be more composed when it comes to race day. That composure also allows them to positively take feedback," Shaw said. "Most of these athletes have raced before, so now we're just dealing with managing more on race day and there's less anxiety. This group is ready to race."

Expectations are running higher this year than most. Again, the potential is there for the Owls, it's all a matter of execution.

"On paper the women are strong and the men have come along really well. Early this week the men were running at a State level pace. They are really new runners so it's impossible to say if they can keep that up all year, but the potential is there," Shaw said. "I don't want to poison the pool, but the women should move on beyond conference. On paper they are really strong. If we're talking November, that's where I'd like to be."

Citrus will get things rolling this Friday when they take part in the Ventura Invitational. The race is set for a 3:30 PM start time at Arroyo Verde Park in Ventura.