Lehigh University Athletics
Photo by: Don Paul
Men’s Cross Country Kicks off Preseason Practice
8/21/2017 7:33:00 PM | Men's Cross Country
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh men's cross country team returned to campus late last week for the start of preseason practice. With 11 days remaining before their first meet, the team is excited to be back in Bethlehem training together once again.
"A lot of us did solo training over the summer," said senior John Tolbert. "It's great to be back with the guys running again. We always meet up for one weekend over the summer where everybody comes back, and that's probably the best day of the summer because you get to run with the team. It's a lot easier to do summer training with people, but it's also gratifying to come back and see that everyone's done it on their own."
"To me our preseason camp is really about bonding," said head coach Todd Etters, who enters his 10th year at the helm of the program. "The guys are fit, but it's nice to have a group now you can push with and start to talk about the season with."
"The preseason is always a time where we get everyone together and get some training done to focus on the season ahead," said senior Henry Paul. "We're really looking forward to our season opener with the Lehigh Invitational. It's exciting to get everyone here and see where they are fitness-wise, get some good work in and not worry too much about the little things."
Making their first preseason appearance at camp this fall are six freshman that are joining a group of 14 returners from last season's squad, which took fourth place at the Patriot League Championships.
"I can see that they're going to be a really good group to work with," Etters said of his newcomers. "It's always better when you have a group of guys in the class that can push each other for four years. But they're also very attentive to the upperclassmen. It's a lot to digest and it's going to be a lot more as school gets closer, but I think we've got a great group and the more I see them, the more excited I get about them."
One of the things the Mountain Hawks are looking forward to this season is hosting five events on the Goodman Campus Course, including the Patriot League Championships and NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional. It is the most home meets the team has had in one season in at least the last 14 years.
"It's a huge advantage for us," Tolbert said. "We know the course and where to make moves. The more that you can race on it and get to know the course, I think the better you run because you know where you can break people and the spots that are harder for everyone else. The more you train on it, the easier those spots become. It's going to be a fun year and we're looking forward to that."
"To me, our preseason camp is really about bonding," Etters said. "This week for us from a mental standpoint is about highlighting some of the challenges that we'll have to face down the road. For now this will be a fun week where they get to live like professional athletes and don't have too much to worry about."
The Mountain Hawks will open up the season on Friday, Sept. 1 by hosting the Lehigh Invitational on the Goodman Campus.
Follow Lehigh Cross Country on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
"A lot of us did solo training over the summer," said senior John Tolbert. "It's great to be back with the guys running again. We always meet up for one weekend over the summer where everybody comes back, and that's probably the best day of the summer because you get to run with the team. It's a lot easier to do summer training with people, but it's also gratifying to come back and see that everyone's done it on their own."
"To me our preseason camp is really about bonding," said head coach Todd Etters, who enters his 10th year at the helm of the program. "The guys are fit, but it's nice to have a group now you can push with and start to talk about the season with."
"The preseason is always a time where we get everyone together and get some training done to focus on the season ahead," said senior Henry Paul. "We're really looking forward to our season opener with the Lehigh Invitational. It's exciting to get everyone here and see where they are fitness-wise, get some good work in and not worry too much about the little things."
Making their first preseason appearance at camp this fall are six freshman that are joining a group of 14 returners from last season's squad, which took fourth place at the Patriot League Championships.
"I can see that they're going to be a really good group to work with," Etters said of his newcomers. "It's always better when you have a group of guys in the class that can push each other for four years. But they're also very attentive to the upperclassmen. It's a lot to digest and it's going to be a lot more as school gets closer, but I think we've got a great group and the more I see them, the more excited I get about them."
One of the things the Mountain Hawks are looking forward to this season is hosting five events on the Goodman Campus Course, including the Patriot League Championships and NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional. It is the most home meets the team has had in one season in at least the last 14 years.
"It's a huge advantage for us," Tolbert said. "We know the course and where to make moves. The more that you can race on it and get to know the course, I think the better you run because you know where you can break people and the spots that are harder for everyone else. The more you train on it, the easier those spots become. It's going to be a fun year and we're looking forward to that."
"To me, our preseason camp is really about bonding," Etters said. "This week for us from a mental standpoint is about highlighting some of the challenges that we'll have to face down the road. For now this will be a fun week where they get to live like professional athletes and don't have too much to worry about."
The Mountain Hawks will open up the season on Friday, Sept. 1 by hosting the Lehigh Invitational on the Goodman Campus.
Follow Lehigh Cross Country on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
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