The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/157974
Hit The Ground Running Young But Talented Team Will Need To Gain Experience Quickly C By Bruce Winkworth oaches instinctively dislike relying on freshmen. They'll give them every opportunity to earn playing time, of course, but as the late Jim Valvano once said, "The best thing about freshmen is they become sophomores." No coach would ever disagree. ■PREVIEW men's Cross country Freshmen are much on the mind of NC State men's cross country coach Rollie Geiger these days. With the 2013 season rapidly approaching, Geiger has a strong but very thin group of experienced upperclassmen, led by two-time All-American Andrew Colley and All-ACC performer Graham Crawford. Colley is a fifth-year senior, Crawford a redshirt sophomore. Colley, Crawford and redshirt junior Michael Mansy are the Wolfpack's lone returnees from last year's NCAA Championships. Three other athletes saw action in NC State's varsity races a year ago — fifthyear senior Bobby Andrews, and redshirt sophomores Bobby Mintz and Vibushan Sivakumaran. Mintz and Sivakumaran lined up at the ACC Championships last fall, Andrews at the NCAA Southeast Regional. None of the three scored points in either race. Redshirt freshmen Adrian Ross, Sam Roberson, Craig Engels and Sam Parsons all showed considerable promise running ■ Key Meets To Watch • Roy Griak Invitational, Sept. 27, Minneapolis — One of the nation's most prestigious meets and the first of three meets in which NC State will be able to earn criteria points for qualifying for the NCAA Championships. • Wisconsin Invitational, Oct. 19, Madison, Wis. — Another headline national-caliber race and another chance to earn major criteria points for NCAA qualifying. • ACC Championships, Nov. 1, Charlottesville, Va. — With the ACC expanding to include Syracuse, Pittsburgh and Notre Dame this season, the conference meet not only crowns the league champion, but offers one final chance to earn criteria points before the NCAA regionals. Redshirt sophomore Graham Crawford was all-conference and all-region in cross country a year ago, and then advanced to the NCAA regionals in outdoor track (in the 1,500 and 5,000 meters) in the spring. photo by Cheryl Treworgy/NC State Media Relations 62 ■ the wolfpacker 62,64.Men's Cross Country Preview.indd 62 8/23/13 2:49 PM