Lehigh University Athletics
Cross country teams build unity during preseason
8/20/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country, Cross Country
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Like most of the Mountain Hawks, Shannon Alejandro was a top runner at her high school in
“It’s just learning how to run within a pack and learning how to run with your team rather than individually,” Alejandro said. “A lot of times people in high school run by themselves, and we like to run with our group.”
That’s exactly what Alejandro – now a senior and captain – said the freshmen are trying to figure out as the Mountain Hawks train for the upcoming 2008 season. The first meet is barely more than a week away, when Lehigh will host the Lehigh Valley Championship at Goodman Campus on August 29.
The student-athletes take off in groups of no less than 10 runners as they begin their training. They go off in different routes, but they are always surrounded by teammates. As they get used to running at a Division-I level, the new runners are also getting used to their new friends and teammates.
“I think just the transition in mileage from high school to college is completely different, and also the social adjustment because we’re a completely different group of kids and they have to get used to that as well,” senior captain John Wetzel said. “So it’s a little awkward, I think, at first for the freshmen, but they’re starting to warm up now.”
During their preseason camp, the Mountain Hawks have been constantly working. They usually go on two runs each day: one to push the pace and one to focus on running as a team. They also do strength training with weights and plyometric workouts to stay in top shape at all times.
And while the freshmen have learned from the more experienced athletes on the team, the veteran Mountain Hawks are also benefitting from the new talent on the team.
“We have a strong incoming freshmen class,” senior captain Katie McClernand said. “They are pushing the upperclassmen already, and that’s made a difference.”
As they inch closer to the first starting gun of 2008, Lehigh is looking to build with each practice. The amount of talent on the team has the captain’s for both the men’s and women’s side buzzing about the Mountain Hawks’ prospects in the Patriot League.
“I think this could be our year,” senior captain Dan DeWitt said. “This is the most talented group I’ve ever seen. We have a tight knit pack and everybody can work together and really achieve their goals if everything comes together on the same day.”
