Boys cross country preview '11: Keeping up with expectations

Photo by Gargoyle Staff(click to enlarge) Sophomore Bryan Hwu leads the Illineks to victory, far ahead of any competing runners.

By Chris Sligar
Published: Wednesday, September 14, 2011 - 3:31pm

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2011 BOYS CROSS COUNTRY AT A GLANCE

Head Coach: Doug Mynatt (16th season)

Key Losses: Albert Anastasio, Ziran Shang, Buck Walsh

Key Returnees: Senior Iain Konigsberg; sophomores George Gunter, Bryan Hwu, Arch Robison, Vinay Shanbhag, and Jonny Yockey

Key Newcomers:  Junior Drew Graham; freshmen Noah Iniguez and Andrew Nguyen

Outlook: With the sophomores forming the backbone of the team, along with Konigsberg, the team is expected to see many personal records (PRs) and go to state.

Uni's cross country team has a lot to live up to this year after last year's strong finish. Starting off their year well, girls cross country placed second at the Kickapoo Kickoff Klassic meet, under St. Joseph-Ogden, while the boys placed fourth. Hopefully this will become a trend for the Illineks.

Since last season, boys cross country has lost some very developed runners, especially alumni Albert Anastasio, Buck Walsh, and Ziran Shang. Last year, the three seniors helped carry the team to state, where they placed ninth with 235 points. This season, the spotlight is on the sophomores, who are expected to do very well.

"We did lose some very talented seniors," said junior cross country veteran Wyatt Bensken. "But hopefully we can make up for that with our very talented sophomores."

Sophomores George Gunter, Bryan Hwu, Arch Robison, Vinay Shanbhag, and Jonny Yockey are expected to do well in the upcoming years. This is an important developing year for the quintet, and many of them are hoping to PR and go to state.

This year, boys cross country has an outstanding turnout of 21 runners. Nine of these are new freshman participants, hoping to help carry the team in later years.

More than halfway done with their conference season, boys cross country is looking as strong as ever. Going to state is not only a possibility at this point, but an expectation for many runners. Hopefully we'll see many of them there this year.