Oct. 5, 2007

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Welcome to the first installment of a monthly newsletter to all of our supporters, a newsletter intended to keep you up to date on everything about Stony Brook Cross Country. Here we are four weeks in to the 2007 Cross Country season, a season full of promise. We are excited about the strength of our men's and women's teams and proud that Stony Brook will host the America East Cross Country Championships for the first time on October 27 at our new home course.

We have two goals for the cross country season. First, we want to do an exceptional job of hosting the conference championship. Second, and more importantly, we are committed to having both the men's and women's teams challenge for their respective America East titles. We opened up our season at home with two low key meets. Jessica Hampson '10 (Smithtown. N.Y.) took home individual honors in meet No. 1 and led the team to a first place finish while Laura Huet followed that up by winning the second meet. Since then we have competed at the Boston College Invitational, finishing 6th on the women's side behind three nationally-ranked teams and taking fourth in the men's event, just seven points behind the host school Boston College.

As I write this letter, the women's team is currently ranked third in the Northeast region. Dana Hastie '08 (Wellington, New Zealand) leads the way, with support from our other two seniors, Liz Carlson '08 (Lincoln, R.I.) and Kerry Salzano '08 (Staten Island, N.Y.). Second-year returnees Hampson, Laura Huet '10 (Carrickmines, Ireland) and Jacquie Kehoe '10 (Katonah, N.Y.) provide great depth to the squad. New faces expected to contribute throughout the season are Holly and Lucy Van Dalen '11 (Wanganul, New Zealand), Leanne Skrabacz '11 (West Seneca, N.Y.) and Carolina Cortes '11 (Woodmere, N.Y.).

The men are on a mission to reverse last year's conference result when they missed out by only 3 points on there first ever championship. Led by seniors Kevin McCarthy '08 (Nanuet, N.Y.), Zach Tyerman'08 (Seattle, Washington) and Shaun Krawitz '08 (Auckland, New Zealand), with support from indoor 3000m conference champion Tim Hodge '09 (Tawa, New Zealand), NCAA Regional qualifier Alex Felce '10 (Stroud, England) and much improved sophomore Daire Bermingham '10 (Portmarnock, Ireland) the team has a great chance to win the 2007 conference title.

This is just a short introduction to our season and we will keep you updated as it progresses. Our student-athletes would love to have your support for the conference championship on Saturday, October 27th, on our home course. Please mark the date on your calendar and come cheer both teams as they strive for Stony Brook's first America East Cross Country Team Championships.

And don't forget that Wolfstock 2007 is just around the corner. The annual homecoming event will take place on Saturday, October 20 in what will be a fun-filled day. Visit our website to register online and be sure to stop by the Athletics Alumni Reunion tent located in Wolfstock Village to reminisce with your former classmates before cheering on the football team to victory against Maine. Hope to see you there. Go Seawolves!

Andy Ronan
Head Coach, Cross Country/Track & Field