Aug. 30, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
Illinois State track and field head coach Elvis Forde enters the 2006 season with a new title, as he assumes duty as head cross country coach when the Redbirds travel to compete in the Illini Open, hosted by in-state rival Illinois on Friday at the Illinois Arboretum in Urbana, Ill., at 5:00 p.m.
"It's a new feeling taking on the responsibilities as cross country coach," said Forde. "It's somewhat intimidating and exciting at the same time. I'm excited about what is going on so far with both our male and female athletes. I had to go back into the memory bank and start to bring back some things that we used to do and I think our athletes have taken to those things very well. They have welcomed the challenges."
Despite the fact that the women's team returns the bulk of its leadership from the 2005 season, the Redbirds will open this season without the services of Kim Smudde and Natalie Scatena as the sophomore duo have injuries that will prohibit them from competing this weekend. Betsy McDonald, a 2005 Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete, leads the Redbirds into action along with junior Suzy Turner, sophomore Kathleen Thompson and new comer Kim Ebbesen.
"Our top four is going to somewhat solid," said Forde. "Betsy, Kathleen, Suzy and Kim Ebbesen have been training very well. I think practices have gone well and that they are looking forward to competing. We will also keep monitoring Kim Smudde and Natalie because they both make us a much better team when they are healthy."
Returning letterwinners Mike Richardson and Brian Glaza lead a strong nucleus of runners on the men's side. Freshmen Jordan Anderson and Scott Krapf are also expected to make an impact for the Redbirds, as Forde believes that these four runners will be critical to the team's success in 2006.
"I think our top four are going to be very solid in terms of performances throughout the season," said Forde. "We have added two freshmen in Jordan Anderson and Scott Krapf, who I feel will bring a tremendous value to our program. They are joined by Mike Richardson, who we are counting on to improve on his performance from last year and Brian Glaza, who we have to keep healthy because he means a lot to our success."
The Redbirds will face tough competition from Illinois. The women's team returns all members of the 2005 squad that finished fifth at the NCAA Championships, with 2005 Big Ten Cross Country Athlete of the Year Cassie Hunt leading the way for the Illini. Forde feels that the Redbirds will have their hands full with the Illini, but hopes that the Redbirds will be ready for the challenge.
"Competing at Illinois is not going to be easy," said Forde. "They are at home, and their women's program has been very solid and has been ranked nationally. Illinois' men's program has also made tremendous improvements in the past year. So, we're expecting both teams to run well. But we also want to hold our own and have a good performance."
Women's racing action begins at 5 p.m., followed by the men's race at 5:30 p.m.
