The High Point University men's cross country team opens the 2010 season today when it competes in the Covered Bridge Open at Appalachian State. The men's race is 6,400 meters and begins at 5:45 p.m.
The last time High Point visited Boone for a cross country meet, the Panthers emerged victorious as current junior
Neal Darmody (Gaithersburg, Md./Quince Orchard) led the team to a victory in the Blue Ridge Open on Oct. 16, 2009. Darmody was the fourth collegiate runner to cross the finish line, leading HPU to a one-point victory over Davidson and 17 other teams.
The Panthers will not have the services of All-Conference runner
Josh Morgan (Asheville, N.C./TC Roberson), who graduated, but do return Big South Freshman of the Year
Jacob Smith (Brockville, Ontario/Thousand Islands Secondary School) and classmate
Dakota Peachee (Garner, N.C./West Johnston), who was USA Junior National champ in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in June. Due to his extended outdoor track season, Peachee will not compete in Friday's race and will resume competition later in the season.
Senior
Jevin Monds (Whitecourt, Alberta/Hilltop) will be looking for a strong start to his final collegiate cross country season. Monds had a very strong finish to the outdoor track & field season, running a career-best 3:48.48 in the 1,500-meter at the Georgia Tech Invitational in May and had a strong summer of cross country preparation.
The Panthers will be looking for a strong contribution on Friday from junior
Mike Ali (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern) and freshmen
Patrick Crawford (Kernersville, N.C./East Forsyth),
Jacob Roach (Chula Vista, Calif./Otay Ranch) and
John Yankello (Sewickley, Pa./Quaker Valley). Ali ran in HPU's top seven last year and will be looked upon to score on a consistent basis. Crawford was North Carolina high school cross country champ last year and Roach brings strong credentials as a distance runner on the track. Yankello has shown consistent progress in his preparation for this season after a solid high school career in Pennsylvania.
HPU will also look for continued progress from
Mike Feroe (Clarksville, Md./River Hill),
Anthony Kilar (Kernersville, N.C./East Forsyth),
Mike Peavey (Virginia Beach, Va./Floyd E Kellam) and
Jonathan Riley (Chester, N.J./West Morris Mendhem).
The Panthers were picked to finish second in the Big South Preseason Poll after placing second at the championship meet in 2009. Liberty was the unanimous choice to defend its Big South title.