Aug. 28, 2008

DaytonFlyers.com: Who will be major contributors this season?
Coach Davis: The 2008 Men's team will be led by the holders of the top three personal best times ever set, throughout the program's 27-year history. Senior Mike Andersen (PB/24:36) will be joined by sophomore twins, Matt (PB/24:53) and Chris (PB/24:59) Lemon. Being the only Flyers to ever break the 25 minute/8K barrier, this trio holds eleven of the top twelve all-time 8K Flyer cross country performances. Redshirt senior Billy Przybyla (25:37/PB) looks to be a leading contender to buttress the efforts of Andersen and the Lemons. Seniors Tim Kaelin, Tommy Middleton, and Matthew Peters, along with juniors Brad Boyd and Michael Peters and sophomores Cory McGoldrick and Ryan Shirley, are a group from which the 5th thru 7th-men will emerge.

DaytonFlyers.com: Discuss this year's schedule.
Coach Davis: Both the men's and women's teams annually compete in the Flyer 5K, Notre Dame's National Catholic Invitational, the All-Ohio and Atlantic 10 Championships, and the NCAA Great Lakes Regional. This season, the men's team will travel to the Roy Griak Invitational, hosted by the University of Minnesota. September's Roy Griak will provide national class team competition, including many Big 10 schools. The men's team will also compete in NCAA Pre-Nationals hosted by Indiana State University. In addition to running against the top ranked NCAA teams, this meet will give UD's runners valuable experience on the course at which November's NCAA Championships will be held.

DaytonFlyers.com: Talk about the newcomer. What will he bring to the mix?
Coach Davis: Freshman Greg Roeth brings Ohio High School State Championship experience to the team. He placed fifth (15:35) in 2007 Division I Cross Country and second at 3200 meters in 2008 Division I Track & Field (9:16). Unfortunately, a pre-existing injury will force him to redshirt this season. Greg will return to training during the spring track season in preparation for his competitiveness to solidify an outstanding pack of distance runners in 2009.

DaytonFlyers.com: Talk about the teams in the Atlantic 10. Who do you think will be tough competition?
Coach Davis: The top four teams from 2007 (La Salle, Richmond, UMass, and Duquesne) are the early season picks to dominate the upper tier of the 2008 Atlantic 10 Championships. Along with Charlotte and Saint Joseph's, the Flyers will have a formidable task to undertake in vying to break into the top four teams. UMass, Charlotte, and Dayton, are the only teams predicted to finish in the top half of the 14-team conference, that have not lost any top 5 scorers from the 2007 A-10 Championships to graduation.

DaytonFlyers.com: What does the team hope to accomplish this year?
Coach Davis: The 2008 season has been deemed as the "Year of Competitiveness". The proof of the team's competitiveness will be demonstrated by achieving team and individual accomplishments that have never been attained. The mission is twofold: a top-three team placing at the Atlantic 10 Championship and the qualification of runners into the NCAA Championships.