Cross Country Heads to Galveston for Preseason Camp
8/17/2011 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
Aug. 17, 2011
HOUSTON --- The University of Houston cross-country team will head to Galveston, Texas today to report for preseason camp. The Cougars will be staying in Galveston to prepare for the upcoming season through Friday.
The University of Houston head cross-country coach Ryan Turner will welcome 16 returning letterwinners along with 10 freshmen when the Cougars open camp.
Houston is scheduled to have their first practice at 5:30 p.m. The Cougars will then have their first two-a-day practice on Thursday, followed by an early morning practice Friday before they return to Houston.
The Cougar men's and women's cross country teams finished sixth and seventh respectively, in the 2010 Conference USA Championship meet. In addition, the Cougar women posted their third consecutive top-10 NCAA South Central Regional Championship finish, along with three runner-up performances, a fifth-place mark and a top-30 effort.
In 2010, the men put notched an invitational win, two third-place finishes, a fifth-place mark and a top-30 performance. The Cougars look to build from last season's success, as they only lost two seniors to graduation.
Key returners for the men are 2010 no. 1 runner for the Cougars, senior Nate Pineda and C-USA Academic All-Conference junior David Smith. In addition, seniors Anthony Jordan, Andres Santaolalla and Stephan Keller will return to lead the men. Cole Bessner, Drevan Anderson-Kaapa, Doug Kelly, John Salazar are also among the returnees for the Cougar men.
On the women's side, seniors Megan Munoz Starla, Garcia and Ciera Johnson, along with junior Kathryn Ducommun return to lead the Cougar women. Sophomores Eryn Barroso, Yasiris Gonzalez and Julie Reinwald are also among returners for Houston.
In addition, the Cougars will welcome newcomers John Cantu, Anthony Coleman, Sam Dufford, Mar Fernando, Yonas Tesfai and Lexington Turner to the men's team. Haili Beam, Taylor Beer, Jamie Johnson, and Alexis Vick are new to the women's team.
Houston kicks off its season at home with the Johnny Morriss UH Invitational on Friday, Sept. 2 at 6:45 p.m. on the UH Intramural Fields.
Players Mentioned
