Rob Hardin / Chief Photographer / rh124104@ohiou.edu

Members of the men’s cross country team begin the Ohio Invitational Sept. 22.  The men hope to finish in the top half of the MAC this season.

The Bobcats are looking to follow up their back-to-back MAC championships with another title this year.

The women’s team was picked to finish second behind Akron this season but doesn’t let it shake their hopes to finish on top again.

“It’s always close every year — Akron has a rock solid team,” Coach Clay Calkins said. “They were a young team last year and they are returning most of their strong runners. Hopefully we can make it as competitive as last year.”

The team hopes to build on its continuing success with the help of returning all-MAC runners Kari Summers, Annie Beecham and Julia Weisenborn.

“We are relying a lot on the upperclassman,” Calkins said. “Expectations are always high when you have someone who is returning and has been competitive through the years.” He continued, adding that he expects that competitive drive to carry on through this season.

Although the team will rely heavily on returning athletes to further their success, they will not overlook the impact the incoming freshmen will have on the team.

“We have a good recruiting class,” Calkins said. “You can’t replace someone like Carime Reinhart, but we have a good group of freshmen to help fill that gap.” Reinhart was one of last year’s top runners.

The men’s cross country team will also look to gain strength from their incoming freshmen this year. The team previously finished fourth overall in the MAC but hopes to finish in the top half of the MAC this season.  The men’s team was picked to finish sixth this year.

The men lost their top runner Craig Leon, who had a chance to compete in last year’s NCAA nationals, but that does not diminish their hopes to be a competitive team.

“We are going to miss Craig,” Calkins said. “He obviously is going to be hard to replace.”

Calkins hopes that the freshmen who will be joining the team will help to fill the gap left behind by Leon.

“We have a strong group of freshman,” Calkins said, noting that the team picked up some of the top Ohio recruits in this year’s class.

The men will also look heavily upon their returning top runners juniors Ridge Robinson and Todd Holbrook as well as senior Shamus Eaton to lead the team.

“With the upperclassman, we hope that we can continue success, as well as build the team back up with the help of the new guys,” Calkins said. “We always hope for the best.”

Both teams will kick off their season with the Green and White Invite on Sept. 15 at home.