The Binghamton University men’s cross country team is primed for another run at the America East championship this season. Leading a mature group of runners, head coach Annette Acuff believes the team could exceed its accomplishments from this past year.
‘On paper, it should be our best year ever,’ she said. ‘We return 11 of our top 12 guys and everyone is healthy.’
Seven runners are either graduate students or seniors, meaning this likely will be the last version of this team Binghamton sees. Graduate student standout Chris Gaube echoed his coach’s statements and said experience was a big reason why expectations should be set high.
‘I think this year’s team is pretty polished,’ he said. ‘For a lot of us, it’s our last go. The stakes are high for us ‘ We’re a cohesive group. We know each others’ goals. Those pressures are what we relentlessly strive for.’
Experience means little without the talent to back it up. Thankfully, getting older does not mean declining. The runners are in peak physical condition after a productive offseason. The goal is to combine their ability with the experience they gained in order to improve.
‘Mentally, I have a new outlook on the sport,’ said Erik van Ingen, the defending America East Conference individual champion. ‘I have a new outlook on life as far as training and handling the sport and metabolizing the pressures that go with it ‘ I’m a heck of a lot stronger. I’m as fit as I’ve ever been.’
Van Ingen’s personal goals are defending his America East title and running well at the Pre-National Meet and Lehigh Paul Short Run. Then he will focus on the NCAA championships.
The team’s formula for training is the same as its formula for the real races: do what they did last year, but with even greater intensity. Every team in the conference will bring its best to try and topple the Bearcats. The Bearcats’ strategy is to use group goals to motivate each other and relieve the pressures that come with expectations. Leadership will also be important.
‘There is a lot of senior leadership throughout the entire team,’ Acuff said. ‘Erik leads a lot by example. Chris does a great job mentoring the guys on the team.’
Senior Casey Quaglia and sophomore Jeff Martinez each had breakout years last year and should continue to develop going into this season. Graduate student Craig Coon, senior Andrew Ugolino and senior Adam Quinn add depth to the team. Acuff noted that they all lead in their own particular ways, and that everybody is supportive of each other.
The women’s team is poised for a strong year, as well. Again, experience will play a role, as six seniors are on the team.
‘Hopefully, this will be a breakout year for us on the women’s side,’ Acuff said. ‘It looks to be the best year we’ve had in the last five years.’
Acuff was optimistic about the health of senior Ashley Horton, who had a stellar freshman campaign but has since dealt with injury.
‘It was tough to not have her around,’ she said.
Horton believes the continuity of running with the same core for four years will pay dividends for the team this year.
‘I think we can improve on what we’ve done in the past because there’s a good group of girls that have been here since my freshman year, and we’ve kept improving,’ Horton said. Horton also said the sophomores had promising campaigns last year and that the incoming freshmen have looked strong thus far.
Sophomores Rachel Miura and Lindsay Raulli had outstanding freshmen seasons and have put in the work over the summer.
‘The girls are really motivated,’ Acuff said. ‘They’ve bought into our system. They train smart. They gained confidence with the longer distances. Rachel making the All-Conference team is amazing. Lindsay is going to want to be right up there with her.’
The women’s team has embraced the pressure on them that comes with the success of the men’s team. Horton called it ‘good pressure’ that would help the team stay focused.
The Binghamton University cross country team’s first meet is the Binghamton Invitational Saturday, Sept. 11. It is the team’s only home meet of the year.