Head Coach, Zach Johnson sat down and talked about the season opener at the JD Martin Invitational in Norman, OK. "The main thing we want to see on January 31st is good effort and improvement in their times.  We look at the January 31st meet as more of a rustbuster than anything else as we have have about 2 weeks of practice together before we open up.  The big goal is to be great in April and May so we are working patiently towards  that goal."

Coach Johnson spoke on some players from both Men's and Women's to lookout for. "On the women's side,  Kaat de Staercke (1500)  Marie Sommer (10km/5km), Tamica Jooste (1500/steeple) and Akaya Lightbourne (1500/5km) have the best chance of scoring in an individual event at the LSC Championships. For the men, Kgaogelo Moloisi (1500/5km/10km), Victor Ramos-Sambade (5km), Arnau Pujols (800) and also the Men's 4x400 relay, Villescas, Garcia, Miles, and Pujols, have the best chance of doing well this spring.  The 3000 steeplechase is an important event for us as well and we are hoping Pia Scheitzer and Phillipp David can contribute and possibly a few others.  Hopefully we will have some surprises in other events as well." 

Coach Johnson's main goal for the team is to keep everyone healthy and improving. "Last Spring we had a few significant injuries that hurt us a lot. The fall season is about conditioning and preparing for the event specific work in the Spring. We stress consistency and hope they do a good job of continuing that over the Winter break on their own.  A significant portion of our sport is conditioning so we need people willing to push themselves and suffer."