Head Coach:

Ed Eyestone (15th Year)

 

Last Year:

1st West Coast Conference

4th Mountain Region

4th NCAA

 

Probable Top Five:

JR Jon Nelson (28:44 10k; 14:09 5k; 68th NCAA XC '13)

SR Steve Flint (13:57 5k; 8:46 3k Steeple; 5th WCC XC '13; 137th NCAA XC '13)

SR Conner Peloquin (29:33 10k; 84th NCAA XC '12)

SR Spencer Gardner (14:27 5k; 30:35 10k; 118th NCAA XC '13)

SR Travis Fuller (8:55 3k Steeple; 3:46 1500m; 11th Mountain Region XC '10)

 

Impact Freshman/Recruits:

Connor McMillan - American Fork, UT (4:18 1600m, 9:05 3200m-Altitude, 7th NXN '13)

Rory Linkletter - Herriman, UT (4:15 1600m, 9:15 3200m, 11th FL West '13)

Dallin Farnsworth - Pocatello, ID - (8:55 3200m, 14:37 5k, 11th FL Finals '11)*

*Returned Missionary

 

Analysis:

Ranking the Cougars 14th after last year’s outstanding season where they landed a 4th place finish, duplicating their 2011 performance, is very easy to explain.

 

They lost Jared Ward and Tylor Thatcher, both of whom were All-Americans. They also lost top contributors Taylor Farnsworth, Tommy Gruenwald, and most significantly, West Coast cross champion, Jason Witt. Probably enough said, right? So how do they even qualify for a 14th spot after losing that kind of talent?

 

Two reasons.

 

Reason number one: They return 28:44 10k junior Jon Nelson, whose high school is just down the street from the track. Steve Flint, a 13:57 5k guy, Spencer Gardner, who was 118th at last year’s meet, and red shirt senior Connor Peloquin, who was 84th in the 2012 meet, and some talented new comers.

 

Reason number two: Coach Ed Eyestone. Eyestone was a Ram Tough runner in his day (two-time Olympian in the marathon and 5 NCAA championships) and a street-smart, savvy racer. Somehow, every year he manages to rub some of his competitive magic on his team and they perform with excellence in the extremely tough Mountain Region and the NCAA meet. His men run well for him and his legendary tough workouts seem to bring his guys around at the right time.

 

We mentioned four returners in reason number one and that is the heart of a quality team as it is, but factor in the addition of returning steeplechasers, Travis Fuller (8:55) and Aaron Fletcher (8:53), who was 15th in last year’s very competitive Roy Griak meet, and you see what kind of depth Eyestone has to work with.

 

Top high schooler from two years ago, Dallin Farnsworth, replaces his brother Taylor, but only returns from his mission in August, so may not be a player this year.

 

Utah State cross country and 3200m champion Connor McMillan is a fine talent, as evidenced also by his 7th place finish at the Nike National Cross meet last year. McMillan did not often race outside of Utah, but beat whoever was put in front of him and will be an interesting rookie to watch.

 

They are ranked 14th right now, but don’t put that in stone. They could be much better and they seem to  feel very comfortable on that podium.

#14 Washington Women
#15 Arkansas Men