2002 Cross Country Preview

2001-2002 Men's Cross Country Team

2002 Cross Country Preview

By Thomas Holland
Class of 2000

Coach John Showalter enters his 29th season as cross country coach at Erskine College, and he will once again be coaching both the men’s and women’s teams.

The Lady Fleet have nine returning runners from last year’s team that finished fifth in the Carolinas-Virginia Athletic Conference.

Seniors Mary Odum (Prosperity, SC/Personal Record: 24:42) and Dianna Plyler (Aiken, SC/22:16) return and will provide great leadership for the younger runners on the team, Showalter said.

Junior Jenny Trammell (Greenwood, SC/22:52) was a top finisher at the CVAC tournament, finishing fifth for the Lady Fleet.

Along with Trammell, juniors Tracy Atchley (York, SC/24:45) and Elizabeth Grant (Cheraw, SC/25:25) will look to help the Fleet reach the top of the conference.

Sophomore Lillian Ferguson (Abbeville, SC/24:39) will be a key runner for the young Erskine team, Showalter said.

Erskine returns the top two runners from last season in sophomores Perri Hiott (Hopkins, SC/20:40) and Jessica Martin (Clermont, CA/21:07). Showalter believes that both Hiott and Martin will have a great chance at breaking the school record this season.

This season Showalter has brought in a strong freshman class, including Amber Price (Iva, SC), who Showalter believes could also break the school record. Price is an exceptional athlete who also plays softball and will miss some races.

Alicia Bolte (Due West, SC) was a strong runner in high school and has the potential to make an impact as a freshman.

Catherine Meggs (Laurens, SC) and Jessica West (Kiawah Island, SC) can also make an impact this season. Showalter believes that with hard work Meggs can finish in the top five on the team.

The men’s team returns seven runners from last season’s team. Although the team has no freshmen this year, the experience of the returnees should help the Fleet improve on a ninth-place finish in the CVAC tournament last season, Showalter said.

The lone senior this year is Patrick Williams (Rock Hill, SC/33:05), who will provide strong leadership on an experienced team.

Juniors Ben Busbee (Aiken, SC/31:08), Steven Cormier (Laurens, SC/32:30), and Logan Spoon (Rock Hill, SC/33:17) all return and have worked to improve on their personal times.

Joining the junior class will be another two-sport athlete, Freddy Wojtkowski (Ware Shoals, SC). Wojtkowski is a goalie on the men’s soccer team and will be able to run in only half the races.

As on the women’s team, the best runners on the men's team are sophomores. Justin Coates (Greenwood, SC/28:25) is the only runner with a time under 30 minutes and was the top finisher in every race last season for the Fleet.

James Corley (Aiken, SC/31:03) will push Coates this season for the top spot on the team. Corley struggled last season with a stress fracture, but has worked hard to get back, Showalter said.

Sophomore Chip Edmunds (Columbia, SC/34:35) has worked hard and will also be counted on to help lay the foundation for success in the men’s program, Showalter said.

The Erskine Invitational Cross Country Meet, on Oct. 17, will be the Fleet’s only home meet of the season. Currently there are 17 colleges that will be competing in the Erskine meet.


		2001-2002 Men's Cross Country Team 2002 Cross Country Preview By Thomas Holland Class of 2000 Coach John Showalter enters his 29th season as cross country coach at Erskine College, and he will once again be coaching both the men’s and women’s teams. The Lady Fleet have nine returning runners from last year’s team that finished fifth in the Carolinas-Virginia Athletic Conference. Seniors Mary Odum (Prosperity, SC/Personal Record: 24:42) and Dianna Plyler (Aiken, SC/22:16) return and will provide great leadership for the younger runners on the team, Showalter said. Junior Jenny Trammell (Greenwood, SC/22:52) was a top finisher at the CVAC tournament, finishing fifth for the Lady Fleet. Along with Trammell, juniors Tracy Atchley (York, SC/24:45) and Elizabeth Grant (Cheraw, SC/25:25) will look to help the Fleet reach the top of the conference. Sophomore Lillian Ferguson (Abbeville, SC/24:39) will be a key runner for the young Erskine team, Showalter said. Erskine returns the top two runners from last season in sophomores Perri Hiott (Hopkins, SC/20:40) and Jessica Martin (Clermont, CA/21:07). Showalter believes that both Hiott and Martin will have a great chance at breaking the school record this season. This season Showalter has brought in a strong freshman class, including Amber Price (Iva, SC), who Showalter believes could also break the school record. Price is an exceptional athlete who also plays softball and will miss some races. Alicia Bolte (Due West, SC) was a strong runner in high school and has the potential to make an impact as a freshman. Catherine Meggs (Laurens, SC) and Jessica West (Kiawah Island, SC) can also make an impact this season. Showalter believes that with hard work Meggs can finish in the top five on the team. The men’s team returns seven runners from last season’s team. Although the team has no freshmen this year, the experience of the returnees should help the Fleet improve on a ninth-place finish in the CVAC tournament last season, Showalter said. The lone senior this year is Patrick Williams (Rock Hill, SC/33:05), who will provide strong leadership on an experienced team. Juniors Ben Busbee (Aiken, SC/31:08), Steven Cormier (Laurens, SC/32:30), and Logan Spoon (Rock Hill, SC/33:17) all return and have worked to improve on their personal times. Joining the junior class will be another two-sport athlete, Freddy Wojtkowski (Ware Shoals, SC). Wojtkowski is a goalie on the men’s soccer team and will be able to run in only half the races. As on the women’s team, the best runners on the men's team are sophomores. Justin Coates (Greenwood, SC/28:25) is the only runner with a time under 30 minutes and was the top finisher in every race last season for the Fleet. James Corley (Aiken, SC/31:03) will push Coates this season for the top spot on the team. Corley struggled last season with a stress fracture, but has worked hard to get back, Showalter said. Sophomore Chip Edmunds (Columbia, SC/34:35) has worked hard and will also be counted on to help lay the foundation for success in the men’s program, Showalter said. The Erskine Invitational Cross Country Meet, on Oct. 17, will be the Fleet’s only home meet of the season. Currently there are 17 colleges that will be competing in the Erskine meet.