2012 Stanford Cross Country Invitational

A New Era Begins at Stanford Invitational

A New Era Begins at Stanford Invitational

Sep 27, 2012 by Kevin Liao
A New Era Begins at Stanford Invitational

A new era begins on Saturday at the Stanford Cross Country Invitational as Chris Miltenberg takes the helm as head cross country coach for the Cardinal in their first major meet of the season. The former national championship coach at Georgetown takes over a storied program that hopes to continue its tradition of success this fall starting with its home opener on the Stanford Golf Course.

 

The Cardinal women start the season as the sixth-ranked team in the country but certainly have the potential for bigger and better things if all works out at NCAA's on November 17. Senior Kathy Kroeger again leads the way coming off an exceptional track season that saw her set a personal best of 15:33.76 for 5000 meters and qualify for the Olympic Trials final at the same distance. The team loses its number two runner from last year but returns talented sophomore Aisling Cuffe.

 

The biggest x-factors for Stanford will be the performances of freshmen Cayla Hatton and Cami Chapus, both of whom will race in the Cardinal jersey on Saturday. The adjustment to racing 6k should be no problem for Hatton, who shocked most observers when she ran 15:50.32, the second fastest time in high school history, to finish fourth in the 5000 meters at World Juniors. Chapus arrives at The Farm as one of California's most accomplished prep milers with two adidas Dream Mile titles and a full mile personal best of 4:39.64 under her belt. Another Stanford woman to watch out for is sophomore Marissa Ferrante. In the midst of triathlon training last spring, Ferrante ran 15:59.65 for 5k on the track before going on to win the national collegiate triathlon title by over seven minutes.

 

The USF women are the only other ranked team that will be in Palo Alto. Coming off the school's first ever bid to the NCAA championships in 2011, the Lady Dons were second at the Toledo Bubble Buster last week, and as a result will sit out several of their top runners on Saturday.

 

Utah's Amanda Mergaert is one to watch out for in the individual race coming off a strong spring that saw her qualify for NCAA's outdoors and set a 1500 meter PR of 4:13.63.

 

Number nine ranked Stanford is again the favorite on the men's side but will be led by a very different cast of characters from years past. New leaders Miles Unterreiner and Erik Olson look to carry on the Cardinal tradition, but without strong front runners, Stanford will need to rely on depth at the back end of their lineup. Contributions from the Rosa twins, now in their sophomore years, and middle distance standouts Tyler Stutzman and Michael Atchoo will be critical.

 

National meet qualifier Cal Poly will run a 'B' squad but will have the services of senior standout David Cardona, the Mustangs' number two man last year.

 

Saturday's races will also host Division II powerhouses Adams State and Chico State both trying to earn some bragging rights before they meet again at nationals in Joplin, Missouri. Adams State is currently ranked first in D2 for the men and second for the women while Chico is just a step below at number three for the men and number six for the women.

 

After being secluded in Flocasts HQ for the summer, former intern Taylor Dutch has been let loose. She'll join Kevin Selby and Kevin Liao for coverage Saturday from the Stanford Golf Course. Find the coverage page full of race highlights and interviews here.