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2007 WINGATE UNIVERSITY CROSS COUNTRY TEAM


 

Wingate University Cross Country 

The Wingate University cross country teams return two runners who participated in the NCAA Division II national championship meet in 2006. Bulldog head coach Dr. Dennis Johnson feels improved team chemistry will be the key to Wingate’s success in 2007.

“We are working very hard on team chemistry,” Johnson says. “I think this is going to be a very enjoyable season. I hope we will surprise some people (at the end of the season).”

If Amber Hines and Jayce Watson return to the nationals, opposing teams and coaches will not be surprised. The rising juniors made quite an impact on the regional and national scene in 2006.

Hines was the 2006 South Atlantic Conference Runner of the Year, as she crossed the finish line first at the league meet with a time of 19:39. She finished in the top eight in eight of her nine races last season, including three first-place finishes, one second-place finish and two third-place finishes.

Hines finished second in the 2006 NCAA Division II Southeast Regional meet at Wingate, earning a spot in the NCAA Division II National Championship meet as an individual qualifier. She set the school’s 6K record in the biggest race of her career, placing 94th in the 2006 NCAA Division II Nationals in Pensacola, Florida with a time of 22:24.

A two-time All-South Atlantic Conference performer and Wingate’s 2006 MVP, Hines holds Wingate’s 5K (18:44) and 6K (22:24) records. She was named to the SAC All-Freshman team in 2005.

Watson was second in the 2006 NCAA Division II regionals at Wingate with 10K time of 32:20. He earned the first-ever trip to nationals for a WU male runner, posting a school-record time of 31:50 in Pensacola. A two-time All-SAC and All-Region performer, Watson was the SAC Freshman Runner of Year in 2005.

Watson posted school records in 8K (25:54) and 10K (31:50) during the 2006 season. He experienced a break-out year in 2006, earning one first-place finish, four second-place finishes and one third-place showing.

  2007 Wingate University women’s cross country outlook

 Coach Johnson believes Hines and the women’s team have the potential to make some noise on the conference, regional and national level. Johnson hopes the Wingate team will peak at the right time, as the Bulldogs will host the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional race at the Wingate University Cross Country facility (for the fourth year in a row).

Bulldog junior Ashley Hubbard joined Hines on the All-SAC team, while sophomore Mary Kathryn Preble was tabbed for the SAC All-Freshman team. Preble earned an invitation to participate on the USA team the World Triathlon Championships August 31 through September 2 in Hamburg, Germany. She will join the team upon her return from Europe.

Sophomore Jennifer Bossi completed five triathlons during the summer of 2007. Johnson expects big things from Bossi this season. Johnson acknowledges the strong leadership of senior Laura Berry. “I am proud of Laura,” Johnson beams. “She is making a big impact on our team through her senior leadership.”

Junior Lindsey Roycraft is a steady performer who will get points for the Bulldogs this season. Junior classmates Adrienne Doucette, Sarah Mackintosh and Janice Shelton will look for ways to contribute. Freshmen Nicole Atwell, Lauren Dugan and Alicia Harbold will help the Wingate team build for the future. “Alicia will be a point-getter for us before the season is over,” Johnson asserts.

2007 Wingate University men’s cross country outlook 

On the men’s side, Johnson believes Watson’s example will help lift the Bulldogs to new heights in 2007. Sophomores Doug Coats, Jack Masters and David Sanctis are taking the necessary steps to make a big impact. Masters joined Watson and women’s team members Hines, Hubbard and Preble on the pre-season All-SAC team.

Johnson calls Coats “Mr. Consistency” because of his steady performances. In addition, junior Paul Testa continues to improve. Johnson gives Testa credit for his hard work and determination.          

Senior Nick Stump and junior Mark Deweese have the ability to compete at a very high level. “If Nick and Mark can stay healthy, they will make a big contribution to our team in 2007,” Johnson notes.

Johnson credits senior Phillip Baker as an inspiration to his younger teammates. Baker and junior Oliver Cross will push Wingate’s younger runners as the season progresses.

Wingate will have much depth on the men’s team. Bulldog junior Kyle Gagnon joins the team for the first time. Sophomores Jeremy Kurtz, Tim Elliott and Chris Siers have a year of experience under their belts. Kurtz will contend for a top five position if he can overcome pre-season ankle problems.

Freshman Chris Custer and Derek Woelfel will use the 2007 campaign to gain experience. Johnson believes Cluster and Woeful will be solid performers before their Bulldog careers come to a close.

In 2007, both the Bulldog men and women will race against top-flight competition. Hines and Watson will fly to Missouri to participate in the Southern Stampede on Sept. 15. The Southern Stampede is the NCAA Division II Pre-National Meet.

Fifteen to twenty teams will converge on Wingate on Sept. 15 for the Wingate University Cross Country Invitational. The Bulldogs will also see action in the Disney Classic on Oct. 6. The NCAA Division II Southeast Regional race will be held on Nov. 3 at the Wingate University Cross Country facility.

Head Coach: Dr. Dennis Johnson, 704-233-8182, djohnson@wingate.edu

Please send all comments or suggestions to dsherwod@wingate.edu