For the Plattsburgh State cross-country team, this season is full of potential.
“We have a much larger recruiting class than we’ve had in the past,” head coach Andrew Krug said. “They are bringing an enormous amount of energy and depth to our team.”
At SUNYACs last season, the men’s finished in eighth place and the women’s team finished in sixth place respectively. Krug expects both of his teams to finish better than last year.
“I know our group is going to be looking to improve,” Krug said. “We are hosting SUNYACs, which is a big deal. We only get to do it every 10 years.”
Another goal Krug is trying to accomplish this season is to crack the top 10 at regionals, something the Cardinals have not done since 2012.
The men’s team this fall should be business as usual, with top performer Ethan Vinson returning for what is sure to be an impressive junior season.
The women’s team, on the other hand, has the challenge of figuring out who their top performers will be after the team lost standout PSUC runner Katie Ehmann last spring, when she graduated.
Krug believes this year especially will be more of a team effort to win competitions rather than one or two leading the pack.
Senior Emma Deschias is one person Krug believes can have a good season.
Deschias plans to end her career with a bang.
“I feel sad that it’s my last season running cross-country but also excited because it pushes me to leave it all on the trails,” Deschias said.
Deschias is confident that having a deeper team will produce success.
“It is very exciting to have a deeper team this year for both the men and women’s teams” said Deschias. “As long as we stay healthy and continue on the path we are on, we should be turning some heads at SUNYACs right here at Plattsburgh.”
Krug feels that Deschias’ performance this past spring is an indication she’s going to perform well this fall.
“She had a really good track season last spring so it is exciting to see how she’ll do in cross country,” Krug said. “She is someone who could very well.”
Vinson is also confident that the young talent is going to be a crucial.
“We have a lot of new freshman,” Vinson said. It is awesome to see all the new potential.”
Krug said he wants to put Plattsburgh State back on the map for cross-country. “I think we’re going to surprise some people.”
Email David Luces at david.luces@cardinalpointsonline.com
