The cross country team started the year with an alumni meet on Sept. 5. The meet allowed the team to get back in step for the new year with a greater emphasis on teambuilding and individual development.

“After the meet, I felt we were ranked lower than we should be,” Coach Tom Antczak said.

According to the UW-Platteville Sports Information Web site, the men’s team is currently ranked eighth in the region, and the women’s team is currently ranked 10th in the region.

Antczak’s goal this season is to help every runner reach his or her full potential that he has seen during training camps.

Following a rough season last year, Coach Antczak said he is excited for the leadership, strength and depth he has seen as the team prepares for the new season. Last year, two of the team’s promising runners were injured and were not able to compete. Aaron Whalen, one of UW-P’s senior runners, will be returning after overcoming an injury he suffered while training last season.

“I’ve tried to quit running, I just can’t. It’s in my blood”, Whalen said.

Going into their first meet, the men’s team ranked third nationally in the NCAA III preseason poll. The women’s team drew ninth in the same poll nationally.

The commitment of the team has been key to keeping motivation high, Scott Clark, a sophomore general engineering major, said.

Both teams will compete in their first conference meet this season at the UW-Whitewater Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 19.