2017
CROSS COUNTRY
CROSS COUNTRY PREVIEW 2017
S
pring Hill College (SHC) cross country head coach Craig McVey enters his fifth season with young, but experienced squads. His men’s team features five sophomores and four freshman while his women’s team consists of six freshmen with five sophomores. Most teams would be worried about carrying such a youth-heavy roster, but McVey reminds fans that his sophomores were all major contributors in 2016. “Having a year under their belts helps,” he says. “And it should be remembered that three of our male sophomores are already 8-kilometer competitors and two or three of our freshmen could step into that role now if needed. Our women’s team is led by our seniors, but our underclassmen are pushing them every day.” On the men’s side, McVey likes that he has three of his top runners back along with a solid core of seven more runners all with the capability of scoring on any given day. “Having the numbers and talent that we now have means that we can be much more aggressive than we have been in the past,” he says. “Our men can really attack a course now.” Sophomores Spencer Albright of Covington, La., and David Toups from Baton Rouge, La., set the top five 8-kilometer times in SHC history as freshmen last season and McVey sees no let up for them this year. Fellow sophomores Joe Butler of Kirkwood, Mo., and Robby Letson from Pelham, Ala., are also more seasoned this time around and McVey sees them as important cogs in the Badger running machine. “Joe and Robby are set to add seriously to the strength of our men this year,” he says. “Then with the addition of (freshman) William Kent from Spanish Fort, Ala., our top five are solid.” Junior Brenton Jennings of Red Level, Ala., and sophomore Julian Sparks of Round Rock, Texas, are both experienced veterans who have proven themselves in the past. Also joining the Badgers in 2017 are freshmen Matthew Fonseca, Jr., from Des Allemands, La., Theron Hewlett of Spanish Fort and Nick Saunchegraw from St. Louis, Mo. For the women’s team, senior Nicole Kotval of Baton Rouge leads the pack and McVey is confident that this will be her best year yet. “Nicole is running just as well if not better than last year,” he says. “And she is good enough to win a meet or two this year, especially at Mississippi College where the course really fits her racing style.” Senior Gabrielle Hantak of St. Louis is already ahead of her times from last season. McVey says, “Gabby is ready to be where she can be and that’s a sub-19-minute time at 5-kilometers. Senior year is when you do things that you’ve never done before and she’s going to.”
With Kotvall and Hantak pacing the team, McVey is excited for his ladies. “Having two runners under 19 minutes makes us a contender in most meets with a chance to win at the right meets,” he says. “Sophomore Meghan Sullivan from Hattiesburg, Miss., is back healthy for us and excited to be running again, so she is set for a great sophomore campaign,” McVey adds. “We also added transfer sophomore Abigail Cain of Oswego, Ill., from the University of South Alabama who is really looking like a million dollars and she could give us three in the top 12 of smaller meets or three in the top 25 of the larger events.” Seniors Kori Lackey of Slidell, La., Anastasia Walloga of Houston, Texas, Chelsea James of New Orleans, La., and Elizabeth Kilpatrick of Crested Butte, Colo., are all experienced runners who have each scored in the past as have returning letter-winning sophomores Lauren Fischer of Marietta, Ga., Amelia Hoffeld of Covington, and Kylie Purdy of Trussville, Ala. Adding to the Badger depth in 2017 will be incoming freshmen Kimberly Atkinson of Trussville, Isabella Kotval of Baton Rouge, Hannah Lafon from Baker High School in Mobile, Grace McCann of Chicago, Ill., Darby Rice of Slidell and Sarah Szostak from San Diego, Calif. McVey designed the 2017 schedule to assist his runners in getting ready for the final two events. “Our first two events are ‘feelers’ for the men at 5-kilometers because we want to give the freshmen a chance to adjust and because of the summer heat,” he says. “But then we step it up to 8-kilometers at the Jacksonville State event. It’s a flat, fast course, however, so it should be a good first 8k for them. By the time we get to the Disney event our runners should be ready for the championship-level atmosphere, course and competition there and I would not be surprised if we placed two runners in the top 25 of a huge field. We are treating the USC-Beaufort meet as our Regional this year. It’s another fast course with top competition and a large number of teams. “We’ll see our 4th- through 10th-placed runners change at every event this year,” McVey says. “But I don’t care who finishes in which position as long as they are all running smart. We should crush our school record team average times this year and possibly be the best SHC cross country teams in history while beating teams we’ve never beaten before. Both squads are All-American groups. They are great young people with great GPAs and great attitudes. SHC is blessed to have this group. We just need to be smart and stay healthy. If our fans are at one of our meets this year, they will see something exciting.”
GENERAL FACTS:
COACHING STAFF Craig McVey - Head Coach Craig McVey returns for his fifth season as the head coach of the Badger cross country teams after joining SHC as the first head coach of the Badger men’s and women’s outdoor track & field programs in the summer of 2012. McVey came to Spring Hill after enjoying 15 years as the associate head track & field coach at the University of Albany where he was part of 28 America East Conference (AEC) championships and three Intercollegiate Association of Amateur Athletes of America (IC4A) titles McVey, who also served as the head coach of the Albany men’s and women’s cross country teams, saw his men’s squad win the AEC title in 2011 while his women’s team won back-to-back ECAC University Division (I) titles in 2010 and 2011. Previously the men’s and women’s cross country coach at the College of Saint Rose (N.Y.) during the 1996-97 season, his women’s team won the New York Collegiate Athletic Conference (NYCAC) championship and the men finishing as the runner-up with Golden Knight runners claiming both individual titles. McVey began his collegiate coaching career in cross country and track & field at Kansas State in 1983. His athletes captured 18 Big Eight Conference titles and ranked as the top NCAA combined men’s and women’s program. He became the head men’s and women’s cross country and track coach at Hartwick College (N.Y.) in 1988 where his teams eclipsed 83 school records while producing 22 New York Collegiate individual champions during his tenure. McVey earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Kansas State University. As an undergraduate student, McVey was a member of two Big Eight Conference indoor track & field championship teams and a Big Eight cross country championship team. He and his wife, Bette, have four children: Luke, Kirsten, Maggie and Tyler.
Name of School: Spring Hill College City/State/Zip: Mobile, AL 36608 Founded: 1830 Enrollment: 1,500 Nickname: Badgers School Colors: Purple, white Affiliation: NCAA Division II Conference: Southern Intercollegiate Athletic President: Christopher Puto, Ph.D. Athletic Director: Jim Hall Alma Mater: Grinnell College, 1995 Compliance: Chad LeBlanc Faculty Athletic Representative: Steven Aldridge, Ph.D. Athletic Department Phone: 251-380-3485 Athletic Department Fax: 251-460-2196 Sports Information Director: Jim Stennett Alma Mater: Mississippi State, 1990 SID Phone: (251) 380-4468 SID Email: jstennett@shc.edu Athletics Web Site: www.shcbadgers.com Facebook: SHCBADGERS Twitter: SHCBADGERS Instagram: SHCBADGERS COACHING STAFF: Head Coach: Craig McVey (4 years) Alma Mater (Year): Kansas State University, 1979 Office Phone: (251) 380-4081 Email: cmcvey@shc.edu Assistant Coach: Donald Cooper (2 years) Head Athletic Trainer: Dani Ellis, ATC Office Phone: 251-380-3493 MEN’S TEAM INFORMATION: 2016 SIAC Finish: Ineligible due to NCAA transition Final 2016 NCAA Ranking: n/a No. of runners returning/lost/new: 6/2/4 Returning Letters: 6
Donald Cooper - Assistant Coach Donald Cooper joined the Badger staff in October 2015. A 2012 graduate of Samford University in Birmingham, he competed in the Decathlon, High Jump and 400-meters while earning All-Southern Conference honors all four seasons of his career. Cooper began his coaching career in 2012 as an Assistant Track & Field Coach at Neosho (Kan.) Community College where he coached Multi events along with Hurdles and Throws. He coached one National Championship winner in the women’s 60-meter hurdles and eight All-Americans in Throws and Heptathlon. In 2014, he was an Assistant Track Coach at the University of Montevallo where he coached Men’s and Women’s Throws, Jumps, Multis and Sprints.
WOMEN’S TEAM INFORMATION: 2016 SIAC Finish: Ineligible due to NCAA transition Final 2016 NCAA Ranking: n/a No. of runners returning/lost/new: 10/2/7 Returning Letters: 10
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WOMEN’S 2017 ROSTER Player
Class
Exp.
Hometown/Previous School(s)
Kimberly Atkinson
Fr.
HS
Trussville, Ala./Hewtt-Trussville HS
Isabella Kotval
Fr.
HS
Baton Rouge, La./St. Joseph’s Academy
Hannah Lafon
Fr.
HS
Mobile, Ala./Baker HS
Grace McCann
Fr.
HS
Chicago, Ill./Mother McAuley Liberal Arts HS
Darby Rice
Fr.
HS
Slidell, La./Slidell HS
Sarah Szostak
R-Fr.
HS
San Diego, Calif./Point Loma HS
Abigail Cain
So.
TR
Oswego, Ill./Oswego East HS/South Alabama
Lauren Fischer
So.
1L
Marietta, Ga./Pope HS
Amelia Hoffeld
So.
1L
Covington, La./St. Scholastica Academy
Kylie Purdy
So.
1L
Trussville, Ala./Hewitt-Trussville HS
Meghan Sullivan
So.
1L
Hattiesburg, Miss./Sacred Heart Catholic HS
Gabrielle Hantak
R-Jr.
1L
St. Louis, Mo./Rosari-Kain HS
Chelsea James
Sr.
2L
New Orleans, La./Academy of the Sacred Heart
Elizabeth Kilpatrick
Sr.
1L
Crested Butte, Colo./Crested Butte Community School
Nicole Kotval
Sr.
2L
Baton Rouge, La./St. Joseph’s Academy
Kori Lackey
Sr.
2L
Slidell, La./Slidell HS
Anastasia Walloga
Sr.
2L
Houston, Texas/Incarnate World Academy
WOMEN’S 2016 RESULTS Sept. 2 – Mississippi College Season Opener hosted by Mississippi College at Choctaw Trails, Clinton. Miss. (4,000 meters). Team: Spring Hill College, 3rd of 8 teams (81 points). Individuals: (64 runners) 1/1 (Place/Points), Nicole Kotval 15:41.20; 13/12, Kylie Purdy 17:01.90; 24/20, Amelia Hoffeld 18:37.80; 25/21, Lauren Fischer 18:52.80; 35/27, Kara McKinney 20:01.70; 38/30, Elizabeth Kilpatrick 20:48.10; 44/36, Anastasia Walloga 22:13.60; 45, Chelsea James 22:16.30; 52, Jessica In 25:21.60.
Oct. 1 – 11th annual Foothills Invitational hosted by Jacksonville State University at Oxford Lake & Recreation Center, Oxford, Ala. (5,000 meters). Team: Spring Hill College, 5th of 10 teams (142 points). Individuals: (165 runners) 19/7 (Place/Points), Nicole Kotval 18:43.7; 71/25, Meghan Sullivan 20:12.1; 72/26, Kylie Purdy 20.13.2; 104/39, Amelia Hoffeld 21:22.8; 118/45; Lauren Fischer 22:17.5; 142/54, Chelsea James 25:19.8; 151/60, Anastasia Walloga 26:59.0; 156; Kori Lackey 27:43.7.
Sept. 10 – AllState Sugar Bowl Cross Country Festival hosted by Loyola University (La.) at Lafreniere Park, Metairie, La. (<5,000 meters). Team: Spring Hill College, 1st of 3 teams (25 points). Individuals: (54 runners) 4/1, (Place/Points), Nicole Kotval 17:45.2; 18/3, Kylie Purdy 18:31.8; 22/4, Meghan Sullivan 18:51.0; 25/5; Amelia Hoffeld 19:06.3; 35/12, Chelsea James 20:50.9; 37, Anastasia Walloga 21:08.1; 38, Jessica In 21:10.3; 48, Lauren Fischer 22:28.7; 53, Kara McKinney 23:12.8; 54, Elizabeth Kilpatrick 23:22.5.
Oct. 15 – Choctaw Open hosted by Mississippi College at Choctaw Trails, Clinton, Miss. (5,000 meters). Team: 4th of 10 teams (116 points). Individuals: (77 runners) 7/7 (Place/Points), Nicole Kotval 19:18.30; 18/18, Gabrielle Hantak 20:07.30; 33/28, Kylie Purdy 20:57.90; 35/30, Meghan Sullivan 21:07.50; 40/33, Amelia Hoffeld 21:38.80; 49, Lauren Fischer 24:34.00; 61, Chelsea James 25:17.40; 73, Anastasia Walloga 27:18.60.
Sept. 24 – Gulf Coast Stampede hosted by University of West Florida at Escambia County Equestrian Center, Pensacola, Fla. (5,000 meters). Team: Spring Hill College, 3rd of 4 teams (50 points). Individuals: (36 runners) 2/2 (Place/Points), Nicole Kotval 19:46.30; 7/7, Gabrielle Hantak 20:55.40; 11/11, Kylie Purdy 21:14.90; 13/13, Meghan Sullivan 21:26.10; 17/17, Amelia Hoffeld 21:51.10; 26; Lauren Fischer 24:39.50; 27, Kara McKinney 25:08.50; 30, Chelsea James 26:50.00; 34, Anastasia Walloga 27:39.30; 36, Kori Lackey 28:50.70.
Oct. 22 – Sand Shark Invitational hosted by University of South Carolina Beaufort at Sgt. Jasper Park, Hardeeville, S.C. (5,000 meters). Team: 9th of 27 teams (292 points). Individuals: (244 runners) 17/15 (Place/Points), Nicole Kotval 18:42.73; 32/29, Gabrielle Hantak 19:15.83; 83/72, Kylie Purdy 20:28.45; 98/83, Meghan Sullivan 20:45.81; 110/83, Amelia Hoffeld 20:55.50; 174, Lauren Fischer 22:43.16; 198, Kara McKinney 23:34.50; 211, Chelsea James 24:49.33; 219, Anastasia Walloga 25:36.76.
WOMENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S 2017 ROSTER
Kimberly Akinson Freshman
Isabella Kotval Freshman
Hannah Lafon Freshman
Grace McCann Freshman
Darby Rice Freshman
Sarah Szostak R-Freshman
Abigail Cain Sophomore
Lauren Fischer Sophomore
Amelia Hoffeld Sophomore
Kylie Purdy Sophomore
Meghan Sullivan Sophomore
Gabrielle Hantak R-Junior
Chelsea James Senior
Elizabeth Kilpatrick Senior
Nicole Kotval Senior
Kori Lackey Senior
Anastasia Walloga Senior
www.shcbadgers.com
MEN’S 2017 ROSTER Player
Class
Exp.
Hometown/Previous School(s)
Matthew Fonseca, Jr.
Fr.
HS
Des Allemands, La./Hahnville HS
Theron Hewlett
Fr.
HS
Spanish Fort, Ala./Spanish Fort HS
William Kent
Fr.
HS
Spanish Fort, Ala./Spanish Fort HS
Nick Saunchegraw
Fr.
HS
St. Louis, Mo./De Smet Jesuit HS
Spencer Albright
So.
1L
Covington, La./Saint Paul’s School
Joe Butler
So.
1L
Kirkwood, Mo./Saint Louis University HS
Robby Letson
So.
1L
Pelham, Ala./Pelham HS
Julian Sparks
So.
1L
Round Rock, Texas/St. Dominic Savio School
So.
1L
Baton Rouge, La./Catholic HS
Jr.
2L
Red Level, Ala./Straughn HS
David Toups
Brenton Jennings
MEN’S 2016 RESULTS Sept. 2 – Mississippi College Season Opener hosted by Mississippi College at Choctaw Trails, Clinton, Miss. (5,000 meters). Team: Spring Hill College, 2nd of 11 teams (51 points). Individuals: (76 runners) 1/1 (Place/Points), David Toups 16:24.44; 4/4, Spencer Albright 16:30.79; 9/9, Joe Butler 17:06.37; 19/18, Cobe Kirkikis 17:45.94; 20/19, Robby Letson 17:47.68; 39/35, Brenton Jennings 18:55.65; 42/48, Julian Sparks 19:21.43; Timothy Dernlan 19:53.35; 74, Kent Cheramie 26:12.16.
Oct. 1 – 11th annual Foothills Invitational hosted by Jacksonville State University at Oxford Lake & Recreation Center, Oxford, Ala. (8,000 meters). Team: Spring Hill College, 6th of 11 teams (128 points). Individuals: (161 runners) 29/6 (Place/Points), Spencer Albright 26:11.3; 33/7, David Toups 26:21.3; 90/33; Robby Letson 28:17.0; 98/35, Joe Butler 28:36.5; 118/47, Brenton Jennings 30:30.5; 135/55; Timothy Derlan 32:23.2; 154/66; Kent Cheramie 40:05.9.
Sept. 10 – AllState Sugar Bowl Cross Country Festival hosted by Loyola University (La.) at Lafreniere Park, Metairie, La. (<5,000 meters). Team: Spring Hill College, 1st of 3 teams (20 points). Individuals: (54 runners) 12/1 (Place/Points), Spencer Albright 15:06.8; 13/2, David Toups 15:11.9; 21/4, Joe Butler 15:44.9; 29/6, Cobe Kirkikis 16:02.3; 31/7, Robby Letson 16:10.7; 39, Julian Sparks 17:18.1; 54, Kent Cheramie 24:16.0.
Oct. 15 – Choctaw Open hosted by Mississippi College at Choctaw Trails, Clinton, Miss. (8,000 meters). Team: 6th of 8 teams (130 points). Individuals (67 runners) 2/2 (Place/Points), Spencer Albright 26:27.96; 16/15, David Toups 28:15.16; 31/28, Robby Letson 29:25.67; 41/37, Joe Butler 30:13.52; 55/48, 32:36.91; 67/56, Kent Cheramie 42:47.00.
Sept. 17 – Gulf Coast Stampede hosted by University of West Florida at Escambia County Equestrian Center, Pensacola, Fla. (8,000 meters). Team: Spring Hill College, 2nd of 4 teams (59 points). Individuals: (34 runners) 2/2 (Place/Points), Spencer Albright 27:00.60; 6/6, David Toups 27:58.10; 15/14, Joe Butler 29:23.00; 17/16, Robby Letson 29:51.80; 22/21, Brenton Jennings 31:08.20; 26/25; Julian Sparks 31:55.80; 27/26, Timothy Dernlan 32:52.00; 34, Kent Cheramie 41:37.70.
Oct. 22 – Sand Shark Invitational hosted by University of South Carolina Beaufort at Sgt. Jasper Park, Hardeeville, S.C. (8,000 meters). Team: Spring Hill College, 14th of 23 teams (389 points). Individuals: (216 runners) 19/17 (Place/Points), Spencer Albright 26:06.63; 24/22, David Toups 26:19.77; 97/86, Joe Butler 28:00.67; 161/126, Julian Sparks 30:46.06; 188/138, Timothy Dernlan 33:00.23; 212, Kent Cheramie 39:12.86.
MENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S 2017 ROSTER
Matthew Fonseca, Jr. Freshman
Theron Hewlett Freshman
William Kent Freshman
Nick Saunchegraw Freshman
Spencer Albright Sophomore
Joe Butler Sophomore
Robby Letson Sophomore
Julian Sparks Sophomore
David Toups Sophomore
Brenton Jennings Junior
www.shcbadgers.com
2017 SCHEDULE Date
Event
Site
Time
Sept. 1
Mississippi College Season Opener
Choctaw Trails, Clinton, Miss.
5 p.m./5:30 p.m.
12th Annual Foothills Invitational
Oxford Lake Park, Oxford, Ala.
Sept. 9
Sept. 30
Oct. 7
Oct. 14
Oct. 21
Allstate Sugar Bowl/Loyola Cross Country Festival Lafreniere Park, Metairie, La.
2017 Disney Cross Country Classic
presented by New Balance
Mississippi College Invitational
University of South Carolina-
Beaufort ASICS Invitational
www.shcbadgers.com
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex,
7:45 a.m.
8:30 a.m.
7:40 a.m./ 8:20 a.m.
Orlando, Fla.
Choctaw Trails, Clinton, Miss.
Sgt. Jasper Park, Hardeeville, S.C.
9:15 a.m.
9 a.m./9:45 a.m.