University of Tennessee Athletics
Hurricane Ivan Changes Course For Cross Country Vols
September 16, 2004 | Cross Country
Sept. 16, 2004
After a week of hurricane-related uncertainty, Tennessee's cross country squad changed its travel plans to open the 2004 season. Instead of running at Alabama's Crimson Classic Friday, the Vols opted for Western Kentucky's Old Timers Classic Saturday.
With Hurricane Ivan bearing down on the Yellowhammer State, University of Alabama officials canceled the 8K Crimson Classic scheduled for Friday on the Harry Pritchett Course in Tuscaloosa. Head coach George Watts scrambled to find an opening in a race within driving distance and not affected by Hurricane Ivan. Watts entered a tentative travel squad of 12 in Western Kentucky's Old Timers Classic Saturday at Kereiakes Park in Bowling Green, Ky. Watts expects six to eight teams to line up for the 11:45 a.m. EDT start but is unsure of the schools entered.
"We have had a good hard four weeks of training, and we are looking forward to getting the cross country season started," Watts said. "I really like our overall schedule. I believe we will be a much improved team and anticipate having a solid performance on Saturday. This early season race will give us an indication of the direction we will take in our next phase of training."
Tentatively, Watts brings senior Matthew Lapp, juniors Ed Davis and Kenny Schappert and sophomores Nate Jansen, Dusty Miller, Brian Mills and Chris Platt along for the opener. Additionally, Andy Baksa, Tyler DeVault, Ben Lukowski, Matt Piccarello and Zach Sabatino don the orange and white for their first race at Tennessee.
Almost exactly one year ago Hurricane Isabel turned the Annapolis, Md., course at the Navy Invitational into a rain-soaked mess. The Vols finished third after plowing through 8,000 meters of Maryland mud in the Sept. 20, 2003 race.
LAPP ELECTED TEAM CAPTAIN FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR
Senior Matthew Lapp was elected team captain for the second consecutive year, head coach George Watts announced Thursday. Lapp, the only senior letterman available for cross country duty, earned the honor by vote of his teammates.
"It is a great honor for Matthew to be elected team captain for the second year in a row," Watts said. "He leads by example on a daily basis. He's a leader in the classroom, at practice and in competition. He's a captain the young guys can go to with problems. I can always count on him to perform at his very best in the meets that matter the most. I feel really good about Matthew leading this team."
Lapp made great progress during last season's cross country and track and field seasons. The young Vols can set their course by the dependable Lapp. Lapp has earned a letter in each of his previous cross country seasons. Lapp has earned academic awards in each of his seasons at Tennessee while also improving his lot on the track and in cross country.
Lapp's father, David, lettered for the Vols as a distance standout from 1975-78.
