The Bulldogs have reloaded
with a big freshman class and are looking
to improve in the MIAA standings.
Second-year coach Jeff Webb has a combined
18 freshmen on the men’s and women’s
rosters, bringing strong competition for
the top seven spots. After struggling to
fill the rosters to post team scores at
meets over the past two seasons, Webb is
excited to see what the newcomers can do.
“It’s a huge
improvement, and we have young runners who
are eager to participate,” Webb said.
“The program is much improved overall
and I’d love to increase our numbers
in the future.”
On the men’s team,
the Bulldogs have a pair of key returners.
Junior Brian Rider (Troy/Athens) was returns
after serving as Adrian’s No. 2 runner
last year. He was voted as the Bulldogs’
Most Valuable Runner in 2005. Sophomore
James Sly (Flint/Kearsley) was the team’s
No. 1 runner as a freshman and will provide
experience and leadership for the Bulldogs
this season. Sly posted a team-best 28:30
during last year’s MIAA Championship
Meet, while Rider’s best time (28:51)
came at the NCAA Regionals.
The men’s team will
feature 12 freshmen who will compete for
spots. Bob Palmer (Vassar/Vassar) is one
of the freshmen who have impressed Webb,
while Luke Hamel (Toledo, OH/Whitmer) and
Jay Yockey (Riga/Blissfield) join the Bulldogs
from strong high school programs.
“All of the runners
are pretty close,” Webb said. “A
lot of the guys have run similar times,
and the women have similar abilities.”
On the women’s side,
junior Liesle Travis (St. Clair Shores/St.
Clair Shores) returns looking to build off
last season. Travis posted her season-best
time at Calvin (22:58) and was under 24
minutes three times last year. Joining Travis
is returning sophomore Andrea Fickenscher
(Painesville, OH/Perry), who proved very
consistent as a freshman. Fickenscher broke
23 minutes in consecutive meets at Calvin
(22:33) and Lansing Community College (22:39)
last year.
“I’ve seen significant
improvement from Andrea this year,”
Webb said. “Both Brian Rider and Leslie
Travis have worked hard to improve over
the summer.”
Eight freshmen will compete
for time on the women’s teams. Among
those is Chelsey Berlin (Hudson/Hudson),
a Lenawee County standout during her prep
career.
The season kicks off with
the Bill Sudeck Invitational on Sept. 2
at Case Western Reserve. The first MIAA
Jamboree is scheduled for Sept. 23 at St.
Mary’s.
According to Webb, the Sudeck
meet will give the Bulldogs a chance to
gain valuable experience.
