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ICC anticipating an historic season
Cougar women, men both have high hopes nationally
August 20, 2009
By STAN MORRIS
Reprinted with permission of the Journal Star
“We’re really looking forward to (the season) and hopefully that excitement will turn into success,” said coach Glenn Herold, whose eight-year program opens with the Western Illinois Early Bird Invitational on September 4.
Actually, history has already been made off the course. For the first time since Herold revived the program in 2002, ICC will play host to both the Region 24 Championships (Oct. 31) and the NJCAA Division I Nationals (Nov. 14) — both at Newman Golf Course.
Now, the Cougars hope to make history on the course.
And with six of their top seven women returning from a program-best tying 11th-place finish at nationals last season, to go along with a strong recruiting class, Herold likes his ladies’ chances of getting in the record books.
“Our expectations are pretty high,” said the former three-time NCAA all-American. “We’re definitely looking for at least a top 10 finish (at nationals). If they all stay healthy, I think we have a very good chance of being in the top five — especially with us hosting nationals.” Leading the way for the women will be sophomores Brittany Carius and Alyssa Imig. Carius, from Morton, became the Cougars’ first NJCAA Division I all-American last year with an 11th-place individual finish at nationals. Imig, from Tremont, placed 29th at nationals and was a Coaches Association all-American.
Carius stepped to the head of the class last year, despite having only one year of high school cross country under her belt.
“She’s very serious about it,” Herold said. “She follows the workouts exactly the way they’re intended to be run. We’ve been able to get her a good background of distance and strength work. She should be ready for a very good season.”
Three freshmen — Michelle Carter from Richwoods, Kayla Christ from Elmwood and Raven Pettry from Henry — have made their mark early.
Carter also has limited cross country experience, but was a track and field state qualifier as a senior in the 3200 meters. Christ was an all-stater for perennial power Elmwood/Brimfield and Pettry was a four-year state qualifier with two medals to her credit.
Other sophomores looking strong include Bonni Martin (Eureka) and Olivia Coker (Richwoods).
“We have excellent runners up front and we have some depth,” Herold said.
Carius likes what she sees.
“It will be exciting to see what our team does this year, because we’ve got a lot of girls that can be up in that top five all pushing each other,” Carius said. “It will be good healthy competition, pushing each other to better times as all of us work together.”
The ICC men return six of their top eight, led by sophomore Shane Leiby of East Peoria. After a year of cultural adjustment, Kenyan Frederick Kiprono — ICC’s second best finisher at nationals last year — also returns.
Other key returnees include Robert Deatherage (Washington), Corey Shoopman (Metamora), Kyle Lueken (Limestone) and Matt McKinney (Limestone). McKinney, however, has been hobbled early by iliotibial band syndrome.
Top freshmen battling for a place in the top seven include Josh Battles (Richwoods), JaQuaileon Smith (Central) and Bobby Widdick (Rochelle).
“We’ve got 10 guys who on any given day could be shuffling positions,” Herold said. “That helps actually, because they help push each other. They know they’re going to have to run to be in the top seven and go to nationals.”
Herold hopes the men can improve on a 20th-place showing at nationals.
“I don’t see any reason why we can’t be a top 10 team,” added Leiby.
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