2008 Men's Great Lakes Region Preview (Top 10)

Official preview by Kori Stoffregen, Depauw University

Great Lakes Region Men

1. Calvin - Suggested rank Top 4

2007 Nationals Recap: 4th with 214 pts.
2007 GL Region Recap: 1st with 27 pts.

Key Returners (5 of top 7):

*Jed Christiansen, SR- XC: 33rd Nationals, 1st GL Region/Track: 5th place Nationals 10k, 14:33.30 5k, 30:30.89 10k

*Erik VanKampen, SR- XC: 35th Nationals, 6th GL Region/Track: 14:48.17 5k, 30:38.61 10k

*Nate DeHaan, SR- XC: 146th Nationals, 15th GL Region/Track: 3:57.89 1500m, 9:10.49 3kSC

*Dan VandenAkker, SR- XC: 161st Nationals, 23rd GL Region/Track: 9:18.45 3kSC

*Tim Langenberg, SR- XC: 188th Nationals, 30 th GL Region

Other Notables:

*Jake Christiansen, SO- 15:26.71 5k

*Aaron Goodman, JR- 9:32.19 3kSC, 15:33.86 5k

*David Jaeger, JR- 15:27 5k

*Andrew Stutzman, SR- 15:16.46 5k

*George Visser, JR- 9:19.11 3kSC, 15:24.60 5k

Preview:

The Calvin Men return five of their top seven from a team that finished first in the Great Lakes Region and fourth nationally last year. They have been in the top four at nationals the past ten consecutive seasons with national titles in 2000, 2003, 2004, and 2006. The 2008 squad will feature nine seniors on a roster that includes three with All-American awards. They look to be lead by senior Jed Christiansen who is going after a fourth All-American award that has been previously accomplished by only 13 past individuals in NCAA Division III history.

2. Ohio Northern - Suggested rank 10-12

2007 Nationals Recap: 17th with 448 pts.
2007 GL Region Recap: 2nd with 114 pts.

Key Returners (6 of top 7):

*Jimmy O'Brien, SR- XC: 34th Nationals, 5th GL Region/Track: 4th place Outdoor Nationals 1500m and 800m, 1:48.45 800m, 3:47.97 1500m, 15:07.72 5k

*Thomas Adam, SR- XC: 97th Nationals, 14th GL Region/Track: OAC Indoor 5k champ, 15:23.33 5k, 32:02.90 10k

*Alan Bowsher, JR- XC: 107th Nationals, 21st GL Region/Track: 15:27.50 5k, 31:47.76 10k

*Paul Lewis, SR- XC: 168th Nationals, 41st GL Region/Track: 15:42.18 5k

*Eric Porter, SR- XC: 190th Nationals, 33rd GL Region/Track: 4:04.42 1500m

*Brent Hiser, JR- XC: 237th Nationals, 64th GL Region

Other Notables:

*Nick Edmonds, JR- 33:10.52 10k

*Ben McPheron, JR- 15:49.50 5k

*Jacob Schoenlein, SO- 15:52 5k, 33:12.74 10k

*Eric Thatcher, SR- 9:54.28 3kSC

Key Additions:

*Eric Hammond, SR (Purdue University transfer) - 8:38 3k, 15:07 5k, 30:49 10k, 25:02 8k

*Nick Baker, FR- 4:27 1600m, 9:29.94 3200m, 16:24 5k

*Kevin Stack, FR- 4:26.08 1600m, 9:48 3200m, 16:40 5k

Preview:

The Ohio Northern Men return six of its top seven from last year’s 17th place national qualifying team and nine of its 10 runners from last year’s OAC Championship squad. They look to be lead by reigning OAC Champion and All-American Jimmy O’Brien, who has garnered five All-American awards on the track. The addition of a solid recruiting class provides the Ohio Northern Men with valuable depth.

3. Heidelberg – Suggested rank 15-20

2007 Nationals Recap: 27th with 555 pts.
2007 GL Region Recap: 4th with 128 pts.

Key Returners (6 of top 7):

*Devin Butcher, JR- XC: 180th Nationals, 20th GL Region/ Track: 15:31.80 5k

*Scott Lasch, JR- XC: 95th Nationals, 24th GL Region/ Track: 4:00.17 1500m, 15:18.02 5k

*Jake Lemon, JR- XC: 186th Nationals, 25th GL Region/ Track: 9:59.82 3kSC

*Jarrod Saling, SR- XC: 185th Nationals, 47th GL Region/ Track: 15:38.88 5k

*John Distler, SO- XC: 271st Nationals, 57th GL Region/ Track: 33:58.66 10k

Other Notables:

*Jamie Kuess, JR- 9:53.71 3kSC

Key Additions:

*Jamie Martin, FR- XC: 25:58.45 Unattached BGSU Inv./ Track: 4:16.98 1600m ’03 HS

*Keith Mrak, FR- 9:40.84 3200m, 15:55.35 5k XC

Preview:

The Heidelberg Men only lost one out their top five from last year’s team that finished fourth in the region and 27th at Nationals and gain a solid freshmen class for the 2008 season. An addition to the team that could make an immediate impact is freshman Jamie Martin, who as a member of the high school class of 2003 finished third in the 1600m at the Ohio Division II Track State Championships with a time of 4:16.98. A healthy end of the season could reap rewards for this squad.

4. Case Western – Suggested rank 20-25

2007 GL Region Recap: 8th with 193 pts.

Key Returners (6 of top 7):

*Dominic Smith, SR- XC: 51st Nationals, 8th GL Region/ Track: 9:31.45 3kSC, 14:57.35 5k

*Mike Petro, SR- XC: 26th GL Region/ Track: 15:15.28 5k

*Austin Schmidt, JR- XC: 37th GL Region/ Track: 15:33.59 5k

*Ryan Gjoraas, SR- XC: 40th GL Region

*Michael Werneiwski, SR- XC: 82nd GL Region/ Track: 10:25.72 3kSC

*Ethan Kleinbaum, SO- XC: 106th GL Region/ Track: 16:02.97 5k, 32:43.52 10k

Other Notables:

*Reza Mohammadpour, SO- in top seven early last year, sidelined with injury as season progressed

*Josh Ward, SR- 9:56.88 3kSC

Preview:

Case Men will have six of their top seven back from the 2007 regional meet in which they finished 8th. They look to be lead by senior Dominic Smith, who qualified for the national meet last year as an individual placing 51st. The 2008 squad made great strides during the outdoor track season.

5. Mount Union – Suggested rank Top 30

2007 GL Region Recap: 5th with 143 pts.

Key Returners (3 of top 7):

*Dustin Ford, SR- XC: 115th Nationals, 16th GL Region/ Track: 4:07.13 1500m, 15:34.22 5k

*Bryce Basista, JR- XC: 43rd GL Region/ Track: 4:05.01 1500m

*Ty Griffin, SO- XC: 179th GL Region/ Track: 3:58.45 1500m

Other Notables:

*Matt Dietrich, SR- Track: 10:00.12 3kSC

*Justin Meeson, SR- diagnosed with asthma and mono, 3rd in 10k at OAC Championships ‘07

*Dan Whisler, JR- Track: 9:46.44 3kSC, 15:52.55 5k

*Scott Wolfe, SO- Track: 15:49.84 5k, 33:00.27 10k

Preview:

The Mount Union Men only return three of its top seven from last year’s fifth place regional team, but feature a good mix of experienced seniors and talented underclassmen. They look to be lead by senior Dustin Ford, who is eyeing a fourth cross country nationals appearance.

6. Otterbein

2007 GL Region Recap: 11th with 315 pts.

Key Returners (6 of top 7):

*James Castrillo, JR- XC: 50th GL Region/ Track: 15:49.17 5k, 32:54.14 10k

*Chase Schneider, SR- XC: 55th GL Region/ Track: 9:49.63 3kSC, 15:47.18 5k

*Chris Fyock, SO- XC: 74th GL Region/ Track: 15:50.46 5k

*Matt Dixon, SO- XC: 119th GL Region

*Michael Jacoby, SO- XC: 155th GL Region

Other Notables:

*Alex Simko, - 4:05.33 1500m, 10:23.15 3kSC

*Tim Weaver, SR- #1 runner sophomore year, oft-injured

7. Hope

2007 GL Region Recap: 18th with 487 pts.

Key Returners (6 of top 7):

*Robert Bailey, SR- XC: 65th GL Region/ Track: 9:09.89 3kSC

*Paul VanderVelde, SR- XC: 75th GL Region/ Track: 15:40.99 5k

*Zach King, SR- XC: 117th GL Region

*Eric Anderson, JR- XC: 130th GL Region/ Track: 10:14.59 3kSC

*Lucas Wolthuis, JR- XC: 136th GL Region/ Track: 10:00.90 3kSC

*Matt Wiersum, JR- XC: 163rd GL Region/ Track: 10:04.76 3kSC, 15:44.41 5k, 32:51.57 10k

Other Notables:

*Ryan Jara, JR- 15:46.17 5k, 33:04.42 10k

*Chris Mauney, SO- transfer from Saginaw Valley

*Daniel Sultz, SR- XC: 133rd GL Region ‘06

*Seth Weener, SR- XC:’06 national qualifier/ Track: 3:55.17 1500m

8. Kenyon

2007 GL Region Recap: 10th with 290 pts.

Key Returners (7 of top 7):

*Jim Boston, SR- XC: 41st Nationals, 11th GL Region

*Matt Riley, JR- XC: 42nd GL Region/ Track: 15:23.32 5k, 32:03.81 10k

*Kaleb Keyserling, SR- XC: 52nd GL Region/ Track: 15:42.22 5k

*Rob Carpenter, JR- XC: 81st GL Region/ Track: 16:06.58 5k

*Chris Houser, SR- XC: 104th GL Region/ Track: 4:08.19 1500m

*Chris MacColl, SO- XC: 118th GL Region

*Ken Noguchi, JR- XC: 186th GL Region/ Track: 10:17.68 3kSC

Other Notables:

*Two freshmen runners who should crack the top seven. Both have run in the low 4:20’s for the 1600m in high school.

9. DePauw

2007 GL Region Recap: 6th with 184 pts.

Key Returners (4 of top 7):

*Zack Weinberg, JR- XC: 34th GL Region/ Track: 15:53.46 indoor 5k

*Nate Ellis, SR- XC: 35th GL Region/ Track: 15:28.40 indoor 5k

*Nick Pucillo, SO- XC: 48th GL Region/ Track: 10:09.86 3kSC, 15:33.07 5k

*Eric Hawley, SO- XC: 76th GL Region/ Track: 16:03.77 5k, 33:30.99 10k

Other Notables:

*Steve Clark, JR- Track: 10:11.29 3kSC

*Joe Evans, JR- 16:03.60 5k

10. Baldwin Wallace

2007 GL Region Recap: 16th with 476 pts.

Key Returners (5 of top 7):

*Derek Hill, SR- XC: 49th GL Region/ Track: OAC Outdoor 5k champion, 15:05.02 5k

*Nate Bowen, SR- XC: 66th GL Region/ Track: 3:58.64 1500m, 15:47 5k

*Jimmy Eberts, JR- XC: 113th GL Region/ Track: 9:45.65 3kSC

*Jeff Bonezzi, JR- XC: 138th GL Region/ Track: 10:15.67 3kSC

*Mark Buhoveckey, JR- XC: 143rd GL Region/ Track: 15:57.15 5k

Other Notables:

*Drew Beck, FR- 4:25.87 One Mile, 9:55.66 3200m

*Brian Gibbons, SO- 15:59.60 5k, 32:59.82 10k

*Zach Szablewski, FR- 9:59.09 3200m, 16:37.44 5k XC

*Tom Wilkin, FR- 4:28.39 1600m, 16:42.98 5k XC

*Transfer from Akron that should be top three on the squad.