Season Preview: Men's Cross Country returns strong core in 2015

Season Preview: Men's Cross Country returns strong core in 2015
September 3, 2015

By Caleb Scott

ADA — The Ohio Northern men's cross country team enters the 2015 campaign after posting its 16th consecutive winning season in 2014.

Seventh-year head coach Jason Maus looks to lead the Polar Bears as they return eight lettermen, and look to build on their third place Ohio Athletic Conference finish.

The Polar Bears posted a 120-37 record last season, which was the most wins under Maus' six-year reign as head coach.

"We expect to be a top-three team again this season," Maus said. "We return a lot of athletes and have a lot of freshman that will push our upperclassmen this season."

Northern will look to its upperclassmen to carry the load this season as the squad looks to compete for another OAC Championship.

Leading the list of returners is senior Eric Wymer, who is an All-OAC honoree and had eight top-7 finishes for ONU last season.     

Senior William Huddleston, who lettered for Northern and recorded five top-7 finishes also returns for the Polar Bears after a strong 2014 campaign.

Also returning for the Polar Bears after solid 2014 campaigns are juniors Kase Schalois, Cully Gordon and Aaren Hemmelgarn, who had six, four and four top-7 finishes for ONU, respectively.

Gordon was also a Academic All-OAC honoree in 2014.

Sophomore Bobby Borger looks to contribute again after a solid outing in 2014 where he posted six top-7 finishes for Northern.

Junior Andrew Harden placed 10th at the OAC Championships and was named to the All-OAC team in 2014.

Also returning for Northern is senior Matthew Ernstes, who posted one top-7 finish last season.

Northern looks to fill the void of Nathan Rosenbaum who was named 1st Team Academic All-America, All-OAC, Great Lakes All-Region and 3-time OAC Runner of the Week last season.

"Nathan was a leader for us on and off the course," Maus said. "It will be interesting to see who steps into the leadership role that Nathan had. We certainly have guys capable of leading, but it may take a couple weeks to find out who will be that leader. I look forward to seeing our team improve and compete in 2015."