As the men's cross country team heads into the 2009 season there is one important question to be answered. Who will lead the Lynx? With Mark Handelman graduating last year after leading the team in each race there are questions on who will take the top spot. The three most likely candidates are Chris Moore (Jr), Josh Deaton (Jr), and Cody Beatty (So).
Chris Moore returns for his junior year after winning the 3,000 meter steeplechase at the outdoor conference meet. Consistently the number two runner last year, Chris has shown a new determination by committing to the summer mileage to have a successful cross country season. Josh Deaton hopes to build upon a successful outdoor season where he set a huge personal best of 32:45.11 in the 10,000 meters. Underclassmen Cody Beatty had a great freshman campaign where he was a key member of the cross country team and showed great speed in the 1500 meters and 800 meters during the outdoor season.
The Lynx return a strong group of harriers who look to compete for top spots on the conference and region teams. Captain Colin Johnson (Sr), Robert McMillan (Jr), Adam Joplin (Jr), Will Hawes (So), and Evan Nelsen (So) all look to make an impact and to fill the spots left by Handelman, Steele French, and Lucas Warth.
A strong recruiting year allowed the Lynx to add seven freshmen to the roster. Tyler Catterton, Matt Grisham, Chris Hardy, and Will Mischke are all from local schools in and around Memphis. Rhodes was also able to add Michael Ascuitto from New Orleans, Calvin Boesch from Ballwin, MO, and Matt Miller from Plano, TX. These seven look to make an impact and add to the depth on the team.
The men's team will begin their season at the Sewanee Invitational on September 5th. The Lynx will travel to three additional regular season meets and host the Rhodes Invitational on September 26th at Shelby Farms. The conference meet will be held in Atlanta, GA on October 31st, and the NCAA Region meet will be held in Greensboro, NC on November 14th. We hope you will be able to join us during the year and cheer on the men's team!
