Louisville slugfest looms

The men and women's cross country teams have faced several big tests early in the season. Both teams will continue that trend in what looks to be their biggest test to date at the Greater Louisville Classic Saturday.Eastern will compete against 70 other schools, which include such powerhouses as University of Louisville, University of Kentucky and Vanderbilt University.

The men have lost two straight decisions to the University of Kentucky after defeating them four times last year, but injuries have been a big factor in losses.

For the men, it is all about getting back to full strength. With a complete roster for the first time this season, coach Rick Erdmann's squad will have a chance to knock off some of the bigger teams in the nation.

"We all know we really haven't been at full strength," sophomore runner Alex Dreyer said. "But we know it's a long season and when it counts, we will be ready. The guys who are running look up to those returning. It picks up our spirits."

Dreyer, along with newcomer Daniel Jones, have carried the weight for the Colonels while the team's other top runners, Christopher Rengifo and Evans Kiptoo, were sidelined with injuries.

Even with a somewhat depleted squad, Dreyer has confidence that the team is turning the corner.

"I expect big things from this team," Dreyer said. "What matters is what we do at regionals. We just need to peak heading up to that point so that we can compete with the best teams out there."

University of Kentucky is one of the better teams in the race, and will be looking to prove that its preseason ranking in the Southwest Division should be higher.

Kentucky is ranked No. 13, while Eastern ranks No. 9.

The women, on the other hand, are looking to continue the momentum from last week's meet at Vanderbilt University where the team placed second. The Lady Colonels placed ahead of in-state rival Murray State, which will also run in Louisville.

Eastern knows Murray State will be gunning for them this weekend, but Sondra Nietorte said it will take teamwork if they are going to place among the best in the field.

"We have to push if we want to achieve our goals," Nietorte, a senior runner who sat out last season with a tendon injury, said. "As a team we need to stick together; stay in a pack. If we do that, there is not much to worry about."

Eastern has run some difficult courses this season, but Katherine Pagano is looking forward to this weekend at Tom Sawyer Park.

"This is one of my favorite courses to be on," Pagano said. "But we don't treat this course any different than the others we have run. Most of us have had a chance to run this course and familiarize ourselves with it. No meet gets less attention, but with that being said, it is still a meet and we have to go out and compete."

Even with a strong finish last week, Eastern, who went from unranked to No. 15 in the Southwest Region, knows that anything can happen on any given day.

The teams know they will have to go into this race physically and mentally prepared.

"Racing is not all physical," Ashli Joseph said. "Half of our problems are mental and that can win or lose us a race. You cannot let your guard down, because people will take advantage of it. If we are all on the same page mentally, we can be unstoppable.