As the USF cross country teams get ready to plunge into the new season, there is a strong, optimistic feeling. The runners, both men and women, have already shown strong signs of determination and ambition for the upcoming season.

Coach John Drocco has a good feeling about this season and is confident that the runners will do well in the West Coast Conference Championships October 28th. In order for the team to be successful, Drocco emphasizes how important training is, as with any other sport, and he also feels that over-training is a problem. Once the runners have a goal in mind, a time they want to beat, they will work themselves hard to achieve that goal, but they shouldn't overwork themselves.

You have to be realistic with training, Drocco says, there is more to life than sports, news and weather.

Men With a new coach, Ray Flores, pushing these young men to reach their full potential, the outlook of the men's success this season is especially promising. Coach Drocco points out that he can already see a difference in the men's attitude and performance for the upcoming season.

Much of this improvement can be attributed to Flores, whom Drocco says is very determined, and works the boys hard, not cutting them very much slack. Rob Whitowski, Richie Jong, and Issac Medrano are just some runners who are vital to the team's success, and are expected to continue in leading the team into a victorious season. Whitowski, a senior, is returning for his fourth year as a runner to help forward the team along. Jong and Medrano are both continuing as juniors, and their skill is very valuable to the team.

Women

The women's team this year looks exceptionally expectant as well. Coach Drocco is particularly confident about the team.

This is the best team we've had in eleven years. Two runners are in the low nineteen's for the 5K; we've never had that.

Roxy Johana is a sophomore this year and is anticipated to do very well. She placed thirteenth last year in the WCC Championships and, according to Drocco, is very determined to go into the eighteen's. Freshman Marcie Cole, recruited from Denver, Colorado, is also a chief runner who runs from the mid to low nineteen's.

Chrysta Heavens and Leah Gallant, both sophomores, are two other qualified runners who are predicted to do well. As usual with most teams in cross-country, the Lady Dons have about two times as many runners than the men. In the last three years, the women have a pair of fourth place finishes and sixth, and they're working hard to surpass that in the 2000 campaign.