A large number of people do not consider running an activity that carries positive and fun connotations, let alone long-distance running. The Virginia cross country team, however, makes it its goal to not only run long distances but to excel at it. With their first competition just two weeks away, the Cavaliers have adopted a theme of "improvement."
It was only two years ago, during the 2003 campaign, that both the men's and women's squads finished close to the level they had expected. That year, the men qualified for the NCAA championships for the first time since 1984 and the women missed out on their third consecutive berth.
"I think that I have pretty high expectations on all levels," coach Jason Dunn said. "Our sport is one where it is all about hard work. Talent can only take you so far. Attention to detail is extremely important."
In an attempt to advance the Virginia program into the top 20, many players have returned to Charlottesville more physically ready to improve since last year's narrow miss of qualifying for the NCAA Regional meet.
"I think that we are building upon what we did last year," Dunn said. "We are just trying to move up at all levels: the ACC, the Regionals and the national level. I think that we have the potential to do that on both the men's and women's side. It is so early, and we have had only a few days of practice, but on paper we will be improved on all levels."
Narrowly missing an NCAA berth has been sufficient enough motivation for leaders such as sophomore Emily Harrison, senior Shannon Hawrylo, red-shirt junior Kara Scanlin, senior Soeren Lindner and junior Ryan Foster to push their excellent resumes even further.
"Last year, we made a breakthrough because we became the closest-knit group since I have been on the team," Hawrylo said. "That really helped, being together. We came together a little late though. Near the end, we had some really good races, but had we done better, we would have been in the nationals. That was not cool, but at least we are taking a step forward."
The leadership that experienced runners provide is crucial to achieving the goal of a top-20 finish in an expanding and competitive conference such as the ACC.
"The ACC is the probably one of the top three conferences in the nation [for cross country]," Hawrylo said. "The top teams are N.C. State, North Carolina, Wake Forest and Duke. Boston College might be all right in their first year in the conference. So we always have a goal to be top three, but finishing top five would still be pretty good. It is really competitive."
In Dunn's second season as head coach of the Virginia program in 2002, the women's squad finished ninth in the nation, a feat that the men's squad is hoping to emulate as well.
"For the last five years, we have been better than we had been that previous fifteen years," Dunn said. "We have gradually gotten better every year. This year we are the best we have been with our personnel and the level of fitness. I certainly think that the men can get themselves to nationals and finish really high. We really want to win the ACC Championship. It has only been done once in school history."
With summer heat bearing down as they prepare for the Lou Onesty Invitational hosted by Virginia, the Cavaliers are hoping to do this season the two things they love best: run and return to their winning ways.
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