NSU Cross Country has young men\'s and women\'s teams

 

NATCHITOCHES – With only weeks until the start of its 2007 season, the Northwestern State cross country team looks for its freshman to learn quickly and help the Demons to a solid showing this year.

Underclassmen make the majority of both the men’s and women’s cross country team for NSU this season, with three on each squad. The women also have one senior and two sophomores while the men carry a senior, a junior, and two sophomores.

“Our freshmen need to mature rapidly,” said head coach Leon Johnson. “On both our men’s and women’s teams, the freshmen have the ability to greatly help our team.”

The most experienced runner for the women’s team is Naumy Bor, a senior from Kapsabet, Kenya. Last season, Bor posted her best finished at Louisiana-Monroe where she finished second overall and NSU’s meet where she placed fourth. She also gathered a sixth place finish at Louisiana-Lafayette. Bor was NSU’s top women’s runner four times last season.

Junior Chris Pearson heads the men’s team with two seasons of experience. In 2006, Pearson notched his top finish of 10th place at Louisiana-Lafayette. He also finished 19th at NSU’s meet and led all Demon runners at the Southland Conference meet.

Demon track’s intermediate hurdler Chad Leath makes his debut on the cross country path this season. He is the Demons only senior, and adds much needed depth to the team.

Highlighting the freshman class for the men is Dusty Dischler. The Crowley native attended Notre Dame High School. The coaching staff expects big things from him this fall.

The NSU track and field team also has some staffing changes for the 2007 season. Mike Heimerman is now the head coach on the women’s side of the program. Also, NSU pole vaulting record holder Haley Blout begins her duties as the distance and cross country coach.

“We are very happy she is with us,” said Johnson. “With her knowledge and experience, she will do great things for our program.”

The Demons take the course for the first time this season on Sept. 7 at Stephen F. Austin at the Lumberjack Opener. On Sept. 15, NSU travels to Ruston to take part in the Louisiana Tech Invitational before participating in the ULM Warhawk Invitational on Sept. 22.

NSU hosts the first of its two meets on Oct. 1. This meet will be held at the Demon Hills Golf Course located on the Highway 1 Bypass.

Before its second home meet, NSU visits Shreveport for the Centenary Invitational on Oct. 8. The Northwestern State Demon Invitational, held at the Walter Ledet Track Complex on the NSU campus, takes place on Oct. 12.

The SLC Championships are in Corpus Christi, TX on Oct. 27 and the NCAA Regional Championships are in Fayetteville, AR on Nov. 10.

“The Southland Conference is going to be very tough this season,” said Johnson. “Because of our youth on both the men’s and women’s teams, we are looking for steady progress all season and then hope to reach our peak during the SLC Championships.”