UVA-Wise Cross Country Set for Breakout Year

August 31, 2006

Wise, VA -- The UVa-Wise cross country teams are geared up for a breakout year in 2006. With unprecedented talent and a challenging schedule that will take the Highland Cavaliers to six states over the course of the season, coach Jason Lewkowicz feels that this is the year that will put cross country on the map.

"We were able to bring in an outstanding recruiting class for the men and have key contributors returning for the women's squad as well," stated Lewkowicz, who is entering his second year at the helm of the cross country program. "If we can stay healthy and develop the young runners over the course of the season, I expect to experience success at the regional championships."

The team kicks off the 2006 season with a trip to the Covered Bridge Open in Boone, NC, where the Cavs will toe the line with the likes of Florida State, Appalachian State, and Coastal Carolina, amongst other talented teams from the NCAA ranks. From there, the team will travel to several new and distinguished events, including the Eye-Opener Invitational in Spartanburg, SC and the Southeast Classic, hosted this year by Berea College in Berea, KY.

The men's team will rely on the leadership of senior captain Sean Stiltner and junior Seth Collins to help develop the eight newcomers to the men's team. Freshmen standouts Stephen Gregory and Derek Bunch have showed promise during the preseason and the return of junior Erick Horton and addition of sophomore Brittain Olinger give the men a solid nucleus that will surely enjoy success this season.

The women's team has suffered several losses prior to the season beginning but return junior captain Brittany Mullins and sophomore Janice King to a team that is a few runners short of being very competitive. According to Lewkowicz, "We are continuing to seek out female runners for the upcoming season and welcome anyone interested to contact me."

As the Highland Cavalier harriers are busy logging the miles, they do so in the hopes that this is the year that they bring respectability back to the program. "We were rated seventh in both pre-season polls," says Lewkowicz. "We are going to have to go out and earn the respect of everyone and prove that we are going to be a force to be reckoned with for many years to come."

Anyone interested in cross country is encouraged to contact Coach Lewkowicz at (276)328-0178.

Two additional current sophomore scholarship students, Britten Olinger (Abingdon, VA) and Austin Taylor, will join as first-year runners. Both are former runners in the high school ranks and have already been impressive with their work ethic and look to make an immediate impact on the Cavs. They have been training with the returing runners and will be ready to compete from the start of the 2006 season.

The 2006 campaign for UVa-Wise will begin with a trip to Appalachian State on September 1st.