CEDARVILLE, Ohio - The Yellow Jackets have developed into one of the most consistent NAIA men's cross country programs in the country. Cedarville takes part in the 5K Queen City Invitational in Cincinnati on Saturday to begin the season.
CU has secured a spot in the Top 25 for each of the past six seasons and they are pre-season ranked #12 this fall. Optimism is high to hang on to that spot and possibly do even better.
"I believe we are better than last year and we were a Top 25 team then," proclaimed head coach Paul Orchard. "This group bought into getting in more mileage this summer. Hopefully, the experience and talent will pay off."
[LISTEN to head coach Paul Orchard preview the season on Yellow Jacket Insider]
Rob Trennepohl is the lone senior on the roster. He finished 2008 with a flourish placing 4th in the NCCAA Championship for All-America honors. Trennepohl also grabbed a spot on the American Mideast Conference Second Team by finishing 8th.
Junior #T.J. Badertscher# has been a two-time NCCAA All-American. He placed 14th last fall and began the season as the Wittenberg Invitational champion.
The rest of the junior class includes Jordan Davies, who has competed in every varsity meet during his first two years in the program. Alex Moore returns as do Hollis Troxel, Chris Vaughn, and Josh Wiseman.
Evan Thayer heads the sophomore class after earning All-AMC honorable mention accolades as a rookie. Joseph Cathey saw action in six varsity meets last year. They are joined by classmates Ethan Blagg and Zach Klink.
Three freshmen are new to the program in Josiah Bragg, Scott Gardner, and Joey Schmitt.
The eight-meet schedule is competitive as usual beginning with the Queen City Invitational on Sept. 12. Three events will be staged on the Elvin R. King Cross Country Course.
"We know that Malone will always be in the way," Orchard claimed in regard to the Pioneers being the two-time defending NAIA champions. "However, we want to do well in the All-Ohio. It always seems when we've run well there then we've finished the season strong."
Cedarville hosts the 19th Annual Friendship Invitational on Sept. 19 with nearly 1,000 runners competing. The Jackets also welcome the AMC Championship on Nov. 7 and the NCCAA Championship on Nov. 14.
CU takes trips to the All-Ohio Intercollegiate Championship in Delaware, Ohio on Oct. 2; the DePauw/Rose-Hulman Invitational in Terre Haute, Ind. on Oct. 20; and the Aquinas Invitational in Grand Rapids, Mich. on Oct. 24. Should they qualify for the NAIA Championship on Nov. 21, the Yellow Jackets would travel to Vancouver, Wash.
