2009 Cross Country Preview
The 2009 cross country team looks poised for another breakout season.With first year coach Dore Madere leading the harriers, the return of six letter winners, and the loss of only one senior, the cross country programs are set to pick up where they left off in 2008.
Leading the women's team is three year letter winner and senior Angela Cuba (Holliday, TX/Holliday H.S.). Cuba is fresh off being named to the first team of both the North Eastern Athletic Conference and the Association of Division Three Independents teams, as well as a 2008 NCAA South/Southeast All-Region competitor. One of four letter winners returning to the women's team, Cuba was named 2008 USTF&CCCA All-Academic and first team ESPN/CoSIDA Academic All-Region. She will be joined by two time letter winner and junior Theresa Smart (Peoria, IL/Richwoods H.S.), the University of Dallas Scholar-Athlete, who combines with sophomore Heather Capozella (Enid, OK/Enid H.S.) to round out the returning women.
The men's squad is also healthy with three returnees. Last year's team MVP, NEAC first team runner and AD3I first team member Greg Pivarunas (Elma, NY/St. Francis H.S.) provides the leadership with three letters under his belt. Pivarunas was also named first team ESPN/CoSIDA Academic All-Region for his work in the classroom. Joining Pivarunas are letter winners Josh McGehee and Joseph Lynne, and a spot competitor from last year, Billy Gibula. Lynne was named to the AD3I's second team.
Beside Madere as coach, ten other newcomers will join the team. The seven freshmen new to UD and the women's cross country program are Irene Harris (Hunt Valley, MD/Maryvale Prep School), Olivia Bach (Marshall, TX/Home School), Laura Downes (Simpsonville, KY/Corpus Christi H.S.), Alex Bukaty (New Orleans, LA/Jesuit H.S.), Catherine Piescik (Vienna, VA/Home School), and Megan Deras (Omaha, NE/Duchesne Academy). Upperclassman Elena Newvine (Portland, OR/Ecce Veritas) and Aida Manganiello (Lindale, TX/Lindale H.S.) round out the 12 member women's team. Freshman Matt Barber (Fort Worth, TX/Southwest Christian School) and senior Andrew Natali (Appleton, WI/Appleton North H.S.) are the two newcomers joining the men.
The team hits the trails for the first of 11 meets on September 5 at the UT-Tyler Invitational in Tyler, TX. Dallas will compete in eight races in the state of Texas before heading to the NEAC Championships on October 31 in Utica, NY. The schedule also includes local meets in Denton and Cedar Hills in addition to the University of Dallas Classic at 9:00am on October 10.