Coach looks for results from men's team
By Andres Cardenas
Daily Forty-Niner
The Long Beach State men's cross country
Head Coach Andy Sythe is optimistic but cautious about his team.
Although he believes the team has, "the
strongest seven (runners) in the last twelve years," it is too early to
judge how the team will perform, Sythe said.
In the 8K race, the team will be led by
junior team captain Derek DeCicco, and will be flanked by teammates Johann
Appell and University of Mississippi transfer student Larry Henderson.
Last year DeCicco had a season best time
of 26 minutes, nine seconds at the Long Beach Invitational.
Appell started to run cross country only
ten months ago. Sythe said he hopes to instill in Appell some race strategies
that should improve his times.
"I have improved quite a bit," Appell said.
"Part of that is staying healthy."
The 49ers have had past problems with the
health of some team members.
One health casualty is Fred Becerra, one
of last yearís best runners. He may miss the entire season
and take a medical redshirt, Sythe said.
Appell said he believes the teamís
depth could be a key to this season.
The team has added several cross country
runners from local area junior colleges.
Paul Couvery, from Long Beach Community
College and Wilfredo Vanegas, from El Camino Community College are two
of them.
Although Sythe said he is happy with the
talent of his team, he said that the Big West Conference has made improvements
overall.
"We have made one big step," Sythe said.
"But we are only keeping pace with the rest of the conference." |
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