Wor k at getting better

Story by TracyFigley

I t was a seaon fullof tough competition, but the LBC men's cross country squad rose to the challenge,posting a 5-2 overall record and making itssecond consecutive triptothe NAIA Nationals inKenosha, Wis.

LBC opened the running season by dominating the Campbell University Invitational in Buis Creek, N.C LBC's Johnny Engelhardt posted a time of 20:04 with Ricky Wilson and Brian Oiling placingthird and fourth respectively This marked the second consecutive victory in a season opener

LBC then traveled to Winston-Salem, N.C, where itplaced third in the meet at Wake Forest The Flames were running against Wake Forest, Radford, Appalachian State University, and Virginia Commonwealthy University The following week, the Flames made their home debut against VCU LBC won the race handily, posting a score of 15-50 Totally dominating the meet, LBC took the top 11 spots and 13 of the top 14.The Flames'victory was led by senior Ricky Wilson and freshmen Johnny Engelhardt and Brian Oiling who finished in a three-way tie for first place with a time of 26:34. Kevin Hopkins had thenext fastesttime,posting 27:11 for the five-milecourse The Flames then traveled to Boone N.C, for the Appalachian State University Invitational Running against Virginia Tech,and ASU, which are NCAA Division I powerhouses, LBC finished third out of seven teams. They were led by Brian Oiling who finished 11th overall in a time of 32:20

The men's cross country team thentraveled on to the campus of Washington and Lee University where it won the NCAA Division II and IIIstatechampionships. The win marked the third consecutive year the Flames won this title, finishing firstout of 11 teams. LBC defeated second place Radford University, 28 to 56. Johnny Engelhardt finished first with a time of 26:25, edging teammates Ricky Wilson (26:26) and Brian Oiling (26:32),who finished second and third respectively.

Then itwas on to Norfolk for the NAIA District 29 meet. LBC finished first,winning the districtchampionship and gaining a bid to the NAIA Nationals. LBC finished with 15 points to second place Virginia

State's63.Johnny Engelhardt setthe pace for LBC with a time of25:56 for the fivemile couse. LBC took the first five places and placed seven runners in the top eight. LBC Head Coach Jake Matthes wasvoted NAIA District 29coach ofthe year following his squad's victory. The Flames went on towinthenext home meet with Mary Washington before going totheNAIA Nationals

With over 300 competing in the Nationals in Kenosha, Wis LBC placed its top three runners 53rd, 77th, 79th inJohnnie Engelhardt (26:29), Ricky Wilson (26:43) and Brian Oiling (26:46)respectively The squad finished 22nd outof36 teams

The Flames ran against the top number of NCAA Division I teams allowable during the season,posting a 2-2 dual meet record against Division I opponents

"We don't trytodo anything spectacular,"Coach Matthes said "We just wantto work atgetting better."

Engelhardt and Wilson battle a pack of University of Richmond runners during an early season dual meet.

Freshman Johnnie Engelhardt (right) and senior RickyWilson (far left) run with theleaders. Both were top runners for Flames during cross country season

MENS TRACK TEAM: (front row. left toright) Mike Ray. John Turner. Jim Vance.IvanSolero, Terry Traxler. Ron Spragg. Steve Cumberbatch. JeffNorris; (second row) Troy Utz. Russ Sears. Carlton Salmond, Troy Nelson. Bill Gillespie. Brian Oiling. Cley Bullock, Roger Richards, Ricky Wilson, Tom Andrews,Mike Lease; (standing) Kenny Mclntyre (mgr.), Coach Mathes, Jason Jordan, Ryan Utz, Tim Sprano, Eric Cabbell, Steve Henkle,Tom Jones,Brian Shirey. Scott Washburn. Kurt Ullein, Pat Smith, Mike McDaniel. Pencil Boone, Dave Nelson, Curt Kreft, Asst. Coach Robert Bracken, Assist. Coach Anthony Beckles.