Head Coach:

Rick Erdmann (36th Year)

 

Last Year:

1st OVC

1st Southeast Region

15th NCAA 

 

Probable Top Five:

SR Wade Meddles (8:03 3k; 13:46 5k; 29:46 10k; 74th NCAA XC '13; 38th NCAA XC '12)

SR Ole Hesselbjerg (8:17 3k; 8:38 3k Steeple; 14:30 5k; 105th NCAA XC '13)

SO Ambrose Maritim (8:18 3k; 14:39 5k; 17th SE Region '13; 128th NCAA XC '13) 

SR Ben Toroitich (8:37 3k Steeple; 14:06 5k; 215th NCAA XC '13)

SR Amos Kosgey (8:16 3k; 14:33 5k)

Impact Freshman/Recruits:

Mason Crump - Madison Central, KY (4:23 1600m)

 

Analysis:
Amidst Coach Rick Erdmann’s crop of international athletes (three from Kenya and one from Denmark), the best of the Eastern Kentucky crew is from the very small town of Gardnerville, Nevada. Wade Meddles is the man and it seems like he has been around a long time, especially considering he started his college running at NAIA powerhouse, Azusa Pacific.

Meddles did not have quite the 2013 that he did in 2012 when he was an All-American with his 38th place finish. His 13:46 5000m on the track last year is much better than his 29:46 10k. He is most likely more of a 28:46 talent, and veteran coach Rick Erdmann is hoping to see that version of Wade Meddles at the Big Dance. There are two very good steeplechasers in this mix in Ole Hesselbjerg with his 8:38 and Ben Korotich, with his one second better PR in 8:37. These three will be the leading group and if the other two Kenyans, senior Amos Kosgey and sophomore Ambrose Maritim, can improve normally, these five should again win the OVC and be in the hunt in the Southeast Region.

It is a lack of depth that must give Rick Erdmann and his son and recruiting coordinator, Cory Erdmann, sleepless nights. One DNF or injury and there will be a ton of pressure falling on the young shoulders of their top recruit, Mason Crump, a native Kentuckian.

Much credit must go to Cory Erdmann, a practicing attorney, since he started the recruiting process for his father in 2007. The Colonels are much better and now have national respect and some national pressure.

#22 Virginia Tech Women
#23 Texas Men