Head Coach:
Mark Van Alstyne (3rd Year)

Last Year:
2nd ACC
4th Southeast Region
17th NCAA 

Probable Top Five:
SR Pat Schellberg (8:04 3k; 13:55 5k; 29:39 10k; 80th NCAA XC '13)
SR Ryan Walling (3:47 1500m; 8:06 3k; 14:05 5k; 64th NCAA XC '13)
SR John Raneri (8:19 3k; 14:07 5k; 29:48 10k; 88th NCAA XC '13)
SR Scott Morgan (8:27 3k; 14:17 5k; 29:54 10k; 155th NCAA XC '13)
SR Matt Valeriani (8:21 3k; 14:08 5k; 29:42 10k; 243rd NCAA XC '13)

Impact Freshman/Recruits:
Michael Higgins - Don Bosco Prep; NJ (4:13 1600m; 9:25 3200m)
John Stoney - Oakton, VA (4:12 1600m; 9:29 3k)

Analysis:
North Carolina’s nick name, the Tar Heels, came from the nickname given to the North Carolina soldiers during the Revolutionary War. It was so difficult for the British soldiers to move from their position that it seemed like they had their feet in tar.

While it is a bit of a peculiar nickname for a team of runners, Coach Mark Van Alstyne has to live with it and perhaps he can focus on how excited he must be to have a returning five man core of seniors.

Losing 1500/5000 meter star Isaac Presson hurts, but Pat Schellberg and Ryan Walling can step up to fill that gap.

Schellberg is a native Carolinan, who has improved steadily and now has a 13:55 5k to claim for a PR. Walling actually bested Schellberg last fall with a good 64^th place finish in Indiana.

John Raneri, Scott Morgan, and Matt Valeriani all have sub 30 10k’s to their credit and Raneri and Valeriani are 14:07 5k talents as well.

Freshman Mike Higgins and John Stoney were good high school milers, but maybe not quite mature enough yet to crack this formidable five. Give these guys a collegiate season under their belts and exciting things will be sure to follow.

No one is going to run scared from the boys from Carolina this year, but they will give them respect with a senior-laden group that is capable of serious damage.

#17 William and Mary Women
#18 Virginia Men