The Cavalier men's cross country team was a huge success at the ACC Championships last weekend, winning the meet and earning Virginia a No. 9 ranking as a reward. The women's team also did well, considering it was without two of its best runners. This weekend, the less-heralded future stars of the team get their place in the sun at the Cavalier Open Saturday in Charlottesville at Panorama Farms.
"It's a fairly low-key meet," Virginia coach Jason Dunn said. "It gives our less-experienced athletes a chance to run in the championship season. If they do well enough, they can even earn consideration to run in the championship race. This will be a race where we develop our depth."
On the men's side, the Cavalier team has already developed considerable depth and will be a serious contender in the race. Potential individual contenders include junior Kevin Tschirhart and sophomore Steve Finley. Tschirhart transferred to Virginia in January 2007 and finished fourth in the 1500 at the ACC Championships. At his previous university, American, he distinguished himself by finishing fourth at the 8K in the Patriot League championships. Finley was a three-time MVP in high school in Palatine, Ill. and was the 2005 Illinois state cross country champion.
On the women's side, the meet offers a chance for runners proficient in middle-distance track events to show progress and improvement running cross-country meets. Several athletes will run unattached, gaining experience while still retaining a year of eligibility.
"It's hard to point out anyone in particular, but I expect all of our women's runners to show improvement," Dunn said. "They will be our stars in the future."
-- compiled by JP Stroman
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