Whitworth College head cross country coach Toby Schwarz has taken the 2006 Pirate team on a philosophical shift. Once a program based simply on participation and numbers, Schwarz has streamlined his program to focus on commitment and quality.
\"After eight years of building a team from a dozen runners in 1998 to 54 total student-athletes in 2005, the size of the roster became as much of a hindrance as a benefit as we pursued the goals of the program,\" said Schwarz.
Instead of welcoming between 50 and 60 students to fall camp this August, Schwarz brought in 24 women and 17 men who had committed to a rigorous offseason training program.
\"We are excited about the philosophy that we have adopted in this new era of Whitworth cross country,\" said Schwarz. \"A smaller, yet more committed and talented group of student-athletes is the result.\"
The Pirate men, who finished third at the Northwest Conference championships and fifth in the NCAA West Region in 2005, will be led by three returnees from last fall\'s top seven. Senior Jeff Grassley (Flower Mound, Texas - Flower Mound) was Second Team All-NWC (14th place) and All-West Region (28th place) last year. Junior Jacob Deitz (Mead, Wash. - Mt. Spokane) rebounded from a tough NWC meet (33rd place) with an All-Region performance (29th place). Junior Travis Huskisson (Austin, Texas - McCallum) was 27th at the conference meet and 40th at regionals.
That trio is joined by nine other Pirates with experience in the program.
Four freshmen could make an immediate impact as well. They are Emmanuel Bofa (Puyallup, Wash. - Emerald Ridge), Dusty Caseria (Bellingham, Wash. - Sehome), Justin Farris (Mead, Wash. - Mt. Spokane) and Collin Stewart (Carbondale, Wash. - Roaring Fork).
\"The 17 men on the team are truly runners and not just guys who enjoy running,\" said Schwarz. \"This group of guys is very excited to take the program to a level that it has never been before.\"
The Pirate women, 24 strong in 2006, also has three of last fall\'s top seven back. Senior Julie Lauterbach (Arnold, Calif. - Bret Harte) is an All-America candidate after qualifying for the NCAA championship meet last fall. She was 5th at the NWC championships and 6th at the West Regional.
Juniors Andrea Carnahan (Moscow, Idaho - Logos) and Shannon Newth (Havre, Mont. - Havre) both scored among the top seven for the Pirates, who finished third in the NWC and fifth at Regionals.
Nine other Whitworth women return with experience from last season.
Twelve new runners join the Pirate women\'s team this fall. After watching a week of practice, Schwarz expects Emily Morehouse (Grants Pass, Ore. - North Valley), Jo E. Mayer (Spokane, Wash. - East Valley), Morgan Yost (Spokane, Wash. - Lewis & Clark) and Gillian Goodrich (Bozeman, Mont. - Bozeman) to challenge for positions in the top seven.
\"An even split of new blood and experienced veterans gives us a lot to be excited about for this upcoming women\'s season,\" said Schwarz. \"This group, along with the philosophical improvements, have interjected a level of excitement that is unprecedented in this program.\"
The 2006 season gets off to a relatively low key start this weekend at the Whitman Invitational. Whitworth will compete against the host Missionaries, as well as Northwest Nazarene. The women will run a four kilometer race and the men a six kilometer race at Ft. Walla Walla Park. The first race begins at 10:45 am.