The 1996 edition of the MWC men's cross country team reached new heights, a tough task for a successful program that has won six straight conference titles. Jon Gates, the first cross country all-American in MWC history, won the NCAA regional meet and finished in 13th place at nationals after finishing 62nd a year ago. Gates

won five of the eight races he ran (including nationals), and classmate Justin Gerbereux took first in the Salisbury Invitational.

 

Coach Soper will have a tough MWC Cross Country time in replacing this pair, who were lost to graduation in '97.  Among the returnees are several all-conference performers from a year ago: junior Steve Lamanna and sophomore Brien Roberts. Also back is Khurram Malik, with the addition of transfers Jim Dlugasch and Jason

Van Horn. All are expected to help fill the void left by Gates and Gerbereux if the Eagles are to repeat as conference champions again in 1997.