TUXC 2008

(8/6/2008)

August 6, 2008. A rainy summer day in Medford, MA. The Tufts campus, though still lacking students, looks lush and green. We all know it: Fall is coming. And with it, another promising season of TUXC.

Three weeks from today, the Tufts University Class of 2012 will arrive on campus in its entirety and join the returning members of the Tufts cross-country team. Right from the start, the competition heats up with our first meet, Alumni Run, an intense one. Tufts alums from all over the country will come out of the woodwork and make the biannual pilgrimage to Massachusetts to spike up in a 5000-meter duel against the 2008 line-up at our home course in Grafton, MA. Among them will be the most recent graduates from the team, Chris Kantos, Dave Sorensen, Matt Alander, Alex Bloom, and Rony Jacques, a very formidable class that will be difficult to replace.

From there, the current Jumbos will go on to race conference and division rivals on a weekly basis throughout September and October. Perennially one of the strongest teams in the region, the Jumbos will keep their sights set on the post-season November titles: the NESCAC, ECAC, and Division 3 New England championships, ultimately aiming at a berth to the NCAA Championships in Hanover, Indiana.

Again at the helm in 2008 will be head coach Ethan Barron, assistant coach Rod Hemingway, and the newest addition to the coaching staff, assistant coach Mark Carberry.

Led by captains Dave Tilton and Nick Welch, Tufts returns five of last years top-7 runners who shocked the field to place third at Regionals and earn a ticket to NCAAs in Northfield, Minnesota. Among these returnees is rising junior Jesse Faller, who stormed his way to All-NESCAC, All-Region, and All-American honors in three consecutive races.

Other returning varsity contenders will be juniors Ryan Lena and Billy Hale and sophomores Jerzy Eisenberg-Guyot, Chris Brunnquell, Andrew Bellet, and Jeff Ragazzini, all coming off excellent outdoor track campaigns at 800, 1500, steeplechase, 5000, and 10000 meters. Sophomore Greg Pallotta is the youngest returner from the last year\'s top-5 and looks to contribute in championship meets once again after missing the outdoor track season due to foot injuries.

With strong returning leaders, a very experienced pack, and a more than promising incoming class of new freshmen, the Tufts Jumbos are set to take to the course as a dominant squad once again. As with previous years, GoJumbos.com will provide the most recent news, results, stories, photos, and updates for the 2008 cross country season. Be sure to check in soon to see how the season is going.

Let\'s go Tufts.