Cross country poised to make history

The 16-month wait is down to just days, yet cross country coach Kevin Licht remains calm.

"I'm really excited," said Licht, a 2004 graduate of North Central College, where he participated in both cross country and track and field. "I would say there's no anxiety whatsoever."

The men and women's cross country team is expected to begin competition Friday at the Elmhurst Early Bird Invitational, officially marking the return of Roosevelt University intercollegiate sports.

It will be the first men's cross country team in school history, and the first women's team to ever compete in intercollegiate athletics at the university.

The women will officially kick off the return of Roosevelt athletics, with a 5 p.m. start in Elmhurst. The men follow at 5:45 p.m.

Other schools competing include North Central College, Wheaton College, University of St. Francis and the Illinois Institute of Technology, but none is likely to have the fanfare Roosevelt will.

Licht is fully aware of the magnitude of the event, but he's more focused on key meets later in the season.

"What I'm most excited about is that they understand that while there is going to be hoopla, our focus is the conference meet, our focus is the national meet," Licht said.

Juniors Joline Reyes and Katie Siedschlag captain the women's team, which also features freshmen Avery Ash and senior Cassie DeBoard.

Licht lauded the women for their teamwork and early camaraderie, pointing out that upperclassmen have helped out the two freshmen in early workouts.

"Their biggest role is really to bring everyone else along who hasn't been there before," Licht said. "They've really been helping out."

On the men's side, Licht didn't name captains, instead letting junior Rory Smith and freshmen Curtis O'Dwyer, Michael Woldeyesus and Ryan Gunn work together on their small team.

Both sides, Licht said, performed admirably at a recent workout at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, an effort Licht called "perfect."

Licht also praised their team chemistry, claiming both sides work well together.

"I'm seeing a level of maturity I didn't expect," Licht said.

Together, they'll head to Elmhurst on Friday; the history books are ready to welcome them in.

"Everyone's at a different level, but that doesn't mean you can't help out your teammate, and that's what they've been doing," Licht said