University of Tennessee Athletics
2002 Tennessee Cross Country Outlook
September 18, 2002 | Cross Country
F. Scott Fitzgerald surmised there are no second acts in American lives.
Cross country coach George Watts and his cast of Volunteers have been working hard to prevent Fitzgerald's theory from applying to the second act of Tennessee's cross country resurgence.
Last year, the curtain rose on act one of improved Volunteer fortunes on the national cross country scene. In an enjoyable performance, Tennessee posted its best season since 1998 with a memorable South Region effort to reserve a spot on the stage with the elite at the NCAA Championships.
During a glorious intermission last winter and spring, Tennessee's distance corps joined its teammates on the short track and in the field to claim a NCAA Indoor and SEC Outdoor championship.
"This squad has the experience of competing in SEC and national championship events in both cross country and track," Watts said. "With this kind of experience we have the leadership and competitive knowledge of what will be needed to duplicate or improve on last year's season."
With the intermission over, Watts keeps a close eye on preseason workouts to find five stars capable of answering Tennessee's casting call for the second act of the cross country resurgence. The Vol director enjoys the luxury of selecting his number from a veteran squad, one now accustomed to the bright lights of the championship portion of the schedule. Indeed, seven of UT's eight lettermen return for the 2002 campaign.
However, Ryan Demers, the lone letterman not returning, cast a long shadow last season. One of his understudies from last season will have a chance to be the new Vol leader.
"The core of this team has been together for two to three years," Watts said. "They have great respect for each other and are happy for each other's success. This team knows each other's strengths and understands the expectations I have for them each and every day. Each individual has the work ethic to contribute to a positive environment and leadership capabilities to look out for and make good decisions for the betterment of the team."
Tim Kelly stands as a logical choice to take over reins as the top Vol. He filled the bill admirably as Tennessee's No. 2 man often last season.
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| Co-Captain Eric Bell |
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| Co-Captain Scott DeFilippis |
Watts also has reason to be excited about the squad's choice for captain. Seniors Eric Bell and Scott DeFilippis earned co-captain nods from their peers. The pair will be counted on to keep the scoring pack tight.
Additionally, senior Rob Cloutier can be counted on for a solid score as he laces them up one last time. While competition for the top five spots should be furious, fellow senior Gildea's steady, solid performances from last season lead one to look for him regularly in the scoring mix.
Watts knows it would be unwise to underestimate the contributions of junior Steve Klein and sophomore Matthew Lapp. Both have been in the postseason fray before and possess the ability to earn their stripes. Klein edged into the scoring five for the South Regional and NCAA Championships last year. Lapp participated in each postseason race in his rookie campaign last year.
As one may guess by this point, Watts stands in the enviable position of having eight to 10 of his charges with a legitimate chance to land in the Tennessee scoring five.
Count Keith Kimmons and Ed Davis in that number. Kimmons, a junior, scored in two races and ran in four in 2001. In preseason work, Davis appears much improved after a redshirt year in 2001. Both stand as options in the Tennessee arsenal.
Meanwhile, a redshirt year also benefited Kenny Schappert, Cordis Stanfield and Jimmy Judge. All three Vols stand a much better chance of landing a coveted spot on the travel squad this year after a season of training.
Watts brought in a quartet of newcomers to begin training as Volunteers. South Florida transfer Doug Brown (not related to the former Tennessee distance great with the same name) stands a good chance of contributing in his first season on The Hill. Nate Jansen, Brian Mills and Justin Villegas appear headed for redshirt years to hone their craft, with hopes of stepping into the void next year when this covey of seniors flies.
Finally, Tennessee's top 800M run men on the track will train with the cross country squad this fall to keep up their conditioning. Marc Sylvester and Frank Francois don't figure to push into the scoring five, but the pair should be primed to improve on impressive freshman track campaigns thanks to their work on the grass.
"The makeup of this team is such that our success will be based on our five-man spread," Watts said. "I think it will take two or three meets to solidify a top seven."
If things go well for the Vols, the Big Orange show will be playing seven times over the course of the season. The Tennesseans have a few dress rehearsals before heading into the championship portion of the schedule.
The Volunteers open the season Sept. 6 at Notre Dame for the 8K adidas Invitational, a small affair comprised of good teams. Next up comes time for the Big Orange to play host at the 8.3K Tennessee Invitational Sept. 13 at Lambert Acres Golf Club in Maryville. After three weeks of training, Tennessee travels back to the Hoosier State Oct. 5 for the Indiana State Invitational, a national 8K race on the site of the NCAA Championships. The last dress rehearsal occurs Oct. 12 at the 8K Furman Invitational, the site of the 2001 NCAAs.
"You train in August, September and October to be successful in November," Watts said. "I feel the success of your season should be judged by how you perform in championship events."
When the Vols flip the calendar to the Nov. 4 SEC Championships, the season the Vols work and sweat for has arrived. Tennessee will try to outrace its SEC brethren on the Gainesville 8K course.
Tennessee hosts the put-up-or-shut-up meet of the year with the 10K South Regionals gracing Lambert Acres Golf Club Nov. 16. The top two teams advance to nationals. Everyone else must go home and plan for next year.
If the Vols meet their goal of a return trip to the NCAA Championships, Tennessee will suit up Nov. 25 at Indiana State for the ultimate 10K test.
"I believe this year's team expects to not only advance to the NCAA Championships, but to improve dramatically on their 2001 performance," Watts said. "Qualifying for the national championship becomes a realistic goal when a team expects to be there."
