A team which has knocked on the door to national status may find the right combination to enter the limelight this season. After missing the NCAA National Championships and a "Top 20" ranking by one place at regionals in each of the past two years, the MWC men's cross country team seems poised to make a move.

 

Last season, the Eagles narrowly missed defending their Mason-Dixon Conference title of1987, losing to UMBC by one point in the closest meet in conference history. MWC - the top Division III team in Virginia the past two years - also was runner-up at the NCAA Division III South/Southeast Regional Meet after finishing third regionally in '87.

 

Looking ahead to the '89 campaign, head coach Stan Soper believes that peaking for championship meets will prove critical to another successful season. "It will take a great amount of work and desire to again reach thatlevel," said Soper. "The team has produced some outstanding accomplishments in the past two years, and I hope this team will continue the winning tradition that many of our juniors began two years ago as freshmen. "

 

Four juniors will bring experience and consistency to the '89 squad, according to Soper. Returning for their third seasons are Colin Sullivan (Moravia, NY), Mark Micozzi (Baltimore, MD) and Travis Jones (Gainesville, VA),while classmate Paul Walters (Fairfax, VA enters his second season. Sullivan has earned trips to the NCAA National Championships the past two seasons, placing 80th last year. Conan McDonough (So./ Alexandria, VA) and Matt Boyd (So./King George, VA) are also solid returnees who will contribute with the top group, while veterans Rich Murr (So./Falls Church, VA), Mike Michalowicz (Sr./Falls Church, VA) and Dennis Bradecamp (So./Chantilly, VA) will also push for top-seven spots.