HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The Northern Kentucky University cross country teams will begin the season Saturday at the Chris Jones Memorial Invitational, which will be hosted by Bellarmine University in Louisville, Ky.
The NKU women lost several key runners from last year, but the Norse welcome back senior standout Anna Moore. Last season, Moore was NKU’s most valuable runner and placed 14th at the Great Lakes Valley Conference Championships.
NKU head coach Steve Kruse said he is expecting much from his senior leader in 2003.
“Anna is dynamic and hard working, and she has fought back from a summer injury and is nearly 100 percent now,” Kruse said. “We have some lofty goals for her this season.”
Kruse also has sophomores Tracy Inman, Kristen Rose and Lisa Sand returning to the lineup. A year ago, Inman placed 36th at the GLVC Championships. Rose sat out a year ago, but she is expected to contribute this season. Sand, meanwhile, placed 48th at the GLVC Championships a year ago.
“Tracy is only in her second year of running, and she is challenging for our top spot,” Kruse said. “A great work ethic will take her far this season.”
Kruse said two newcomers - Jessie Gehner and Kathleena Almquist - could also make an impact this season. The NKU women placed sixth at the GLVC Championships a year ago.
On the men’s side, NKU has a great deal of experience returning to the lineup. Sophomore Denny Kramer, junior Doug Fulmer and sophomore Greaham Niemer are among the key runners for the Norse
“Denny has had a great summer of training, and he should be leading us this year,” Kruse said. “Doug will be ready for his best season yet after being our best runner the past two years.”
Kruse is also counting on returnees Josh Lane, Justin Clark, Andy Kennedy, Dave Adams and Matt King, but he also said there is plenty of competition for the top seven spots.
“The door is wide open for the new guys and some much improved junior varsity runners,” Kruse said. “The main goal will be to get everyone up to base training by the middle of the season.”
The NKU men finished eighth at the GLVC Championships last year.
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Anna Moore |