Experienced Roster Leads Men’s Cross Country into 2015
8/25/2015 4:18:00 PM | Cross Country
Parsons and Crawford both return after impressive 2014 campaigns
RALEIGH, N.C. - Contending for an ACC title, advancing to the NCAA Championships and finishing among the top-20 in the nation are always the goals of the NC State men's cross country program.
This year the Wolfpack is primed to achieve those goals behind a combination of experience and talent.
Senior Graham Crawford and junior Sam Parsons are are expected to lead from the front again, after both earned All-Southeast Region and All-ACC honors during the 2014 campaign.
Parsons also qualified for the 2014 NCAA Cross Country Championships as an individual, while Crawford had a stellar track season, which featured All-America honors in the 1,500m.
Along with the experience of the upperclassmen, the team also returns a solid class of redshirt sophomores and juniors featuring Bakri Abushouk, Sebastian Hanson, Nick Link and Sam Roberson.
The group lined up several times throughout the 2014 season, gaining valuable experience at several big meets including the Notre Dame Invitational, ACC Championships and the NCAA South East Regional.
Several members of the group also took big strides on the track, which can translate to a successful cross country season.
Hanson earned his first career NCAA East Preliminary qualifying mark in the 5,000m, Abushouk competed in the steeplechase for the first season and placed eighth at the ACC Outdoor Championships, while Roberson took ninth in the 5,000m at the conference championships.
With another year of cross country and track experience, the class is expecting to score valuable points for the Pack this season.
The team will rely on its first and second-year runners to provide depth for the squad.
Patrick Sheehan returns for his sophomore year after placing 11th in the junior men's race at the USA Cross Country Championships, and the Pack's incoming class of Tanis Baldwin, Ben Barrett, Philip Hall and Kyle Christ will also have a chance to line up.
"The freshmen coming in are high-quality athletes and NC State cross country has a bright future because of that class, but we have to see who can make the transition from high school to colligate cross country," said Geiger.
To return to the NCAA Championships, the Pack can earn an automatic bid by placing in the top-two at the NCAA Southeast Region, or the team could earn an at large bid with successful racing throughout the year.
The Notre Dame Invitational and the Wisconsin adidas Invitational will be the biggest opportunities during the regular season for the team to earn criteria points -which factor into selection for the NCAA Championships.
Post-season races will also be important, as the team can earn more criteria points at the ACC Championships.
"The idea is that the group will improve. It's not deep, but they are experienced," said Geiger.
This year the Wolfpack is primed to achieve those goals behind a combination of experience and talent.
Senior Graham Crawford and junior Sam Parsons are are expected to lead from the front again, after both earned All-Southeast Region and All-ACC honors during the 2014 campaign.
Parsons also qualified for the 2014 NCAA Cross Country Championships as an individual, while Crawford had a stellar track season, which featured All-America honors in the 1,500m.
Along with the experience of the upperclassmen, the team also returns a solid class of redshirt sophomores and juniors featuring Bakri Abushouk, Sebastian Hanson, Nick Link and Sam Roberson.
The group lined up several times throughout the 2014 season, gaining valuable experience at several big meets including the Notre Dame Invitational, ACC Championships and the NCAA South East Regional.
Several members of the group also took big strides on the track, which can translate to a successful cross country season.
Hanson earned his first career NCAA East Preliminary qualifying mark in the 5,000m, Abushouk competed in the steeplechase for the first season and placed eighth at the ACC Outdoor Championships, while Roberson took ninth in the 5,000m at the conference championships.
With another year of cross country and track experience, the class is expecting to score valuable points for the Pack this season.
The team will rely on its first and second-year runners to provide depth for the squad.
Patrick Sheehan returns for his sophomore year after placing 11th in the junior men's race at the USA Cross Country Championships, and the Pack's incoming class of Tanis Baldwin, Ben Barrett, Philip Hall and Kyle Christ will also have a chance to line up.
"The freshmen coming in are high-quality athletes and NC State cross country has a bright future because of that class, but we have to see who can make the transition from high school to colligate cross country," said Geiger.
To return to the NCAA Championships, the Pack can earn an automatic bid by placing in the top-two at the NCAA Southeast Region, or the team could earn an at large bid with successful racing throughout the year.
The Notre Dame Invitational and the Wisconsin adidas Invitational will be the biggest opportunities during the regular season for the team to earn criteria points -which factor into selection for the NCAA Championships.
Post-season races will also be important, as the team can earn more criteria points at the ACC Championships.
"The idea is that the group will improve. It's not deep, but they are experienced," said Geiger.
Players Mentioned
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
Hall of Fame: Rollie Geiger
Monday, May 13
EmpowHER - Ally Henson
Wednesday, February 07
NC State Women's Cross Country Wins Third-Straight NCAA Championship
Monday, November 27
NC State Cross Country – 2022 National Champions
Monday, November 28