Garden City, N.Y. - On Saturday, September 7, the men's and women's cross country team will embark on their 2013 campaign beginning with the St. John's/Hofstra Fall Festival in Oakdale, N.Y.. Both squads return at least five of their top-seven runners for the ensuing season and welcome a talented crop of freshman that are ready to jump right in and mix it up with the competition in the Northeast-10 Conference.
 
A year ago, the women's squad etched their name into the Adelphi record books by becoming just the third team in program history to earn a trip to the NCAA Championships by way of their second place finish at the East Regional meet. Meanwhile, on the men's side, Andrew Coelho exceled once again and earned his second All-American nod in as many years, courtesy of a 30^th place finish at nationals.
 
"We have baseline goals every year and that is to run fast, improve on championship finishes from a year ago and stay healthy," explains fourth year Head Coach, Katie Rees. "I would like to see both squads continually improve with each meet, get faster every week and be a competitive force when it comes to conferences, regionals and nationals."
 
More specifically, Rees would like to see her women make a run at a conference championship, earn a berth to the NCAA Championships again, and once there, improve on their finish. "Duplicating the accomplishments from last year is not going to be an easy task, but I think we have the runners and talent to be successful once again."

For the men, who were infected with mid and late season illnesses, Rees believes staying healthy and gradual improvement is key. "I know they can move up in the conference meet and finish better than last year," stated at optimistic Rees. "If we can avoid illnesses and keep everyone at 100 percent, I have no doubt that we can be a top contender in the conference and region."

Men

Rees' male harriers will have to cope with the loss of Coelho to graduation. The former Panther was a two-time All-American and multiple time track qualifier and has big shoes to fill. "It takes a special kind of person to be able to run at the level that Drew was at," stated Rees of her graduate. "While his presence  will be missed, we are confident we'll still be able to perform well at championship races."

Looking to step in immediately and make a major impact up front will be Nick Filippazzo. A transfer from Molloy College, the senior was the East Coast Conference Runner of the Year and ninth place finisher at the Regional meet back in 2011. "I expect Nick to be up front with James Panetta, and push each other at practice," stated Rees. "He should give us a solid one-two punch at all of the meets we compete in." Panetta, a returning junior, boasts the fastest 8k and 10k cross country times out of the returning runners and was a 2011 All-Region honoree.
 
A core group of six returners in Connor Dolan, Chris Reilly, Gregory Bader, Ryan Healy, Will Marois and Matthew Moody further strengthen the arsenal of Rees' men's squad. The sophomore duo of Marois and Moody are coming off of a solid outdoor track season that included participation at the USATF Junior National Championships.
 
Dolan and Bader are two upperclassmen who have a combined five years collegiate cross country experience between them. "Connor got sick last year mid-season which hampered his performances toward the end while Greg had a strong outdoor track season, setting PR's in the 5k and 10k which should convert to fast cross country times," explains Rees. "Their success on the course will play a huge role in how the team performs."
 
Reilly and Healy, despite specializing in mid-distance track events, are capable of stepping up to the longer distances and contributing toward the team scoring. "Healy was a huge gain for us last year and I expect his role to be even more significant than it was last season," stated Rees. "Reilly has always been on the border of our top-seven, but I believe that with the way his summer training has been, could make the move into our consistent number six or seven runner."
 
Rounding out the returners will be Frank DiStefano, Robert Festa, Justin Nakrin, Jacob Moore and Daniel Morley. Each of the five runners are described as "hard working individuals whose efforts show through lowering their 8k times."
 
Newcomers Aashaun Khedaru, Anthony Seara, Justin Macari and Seth Kramer close out the 16-runner roster for the men. "Making the jump from 5k in high school to 8k and 10k in college is a difficult adjustment," explains Rees. "It's going to be a transitional year for them but be on the lookout for them to get off to a quick start and challenge for spots in the top-seven."

Women
The 2012 women's squad met and superseded Rees's goals last year and earned a trip to nationals after grabbing a second place finish at the Regional meet; one spot higher than she had penciled them in for. "Last year's squad showed up to every race ready to go and performed," stated Rees. "If we can keep the same intensity and perform to our potential, our first conference and regional title will be within reach."
 
The team is going to have to accomplish the difficult task at hand without a familiar face in Jacqueline Kaste, who graduated as a two-time All-Region and All-Conference performer. "Jackie was consistently in the top-two for us during her time here," states Rees of the Sayville, N.Y. native. "Her shoes will be difficult to fill but we have a crop of girls that are moving up and are a year stronger and faster."

Despite the loss of Kaste and another top-five performer, Jennifer McNally, the Panthers return five of their top seven runners and will have an experienced stable to take to the races. "Any coach would be lucky and fortunate to return five of their top-seven runners," said Rees. "Having a core group of girls that have been in the system for a number of seasons and train well together brings a ton of benefits not only to the team as a whole, but individually as well."
 
Included in the returners is top runner Elizabeth Eickelberg. The senior placed in the top-eight in six races last year and was Adelphi's first runner to cross the finish line in every meet. Posting a personal best of 22:01 over 6k at the NE-10 Championships, she earned All-Conference honors and was named to the All-Region team for her eighth place showing at the East Regionals Championship.
 
"I think Elizabeth can take a run at a top-five finish in the region as well as race for a top individual spot in the conference," stated a confident Rees of her top runner. "She has been doing all the training and cross training in the summer so she should be in excellent shape and ready to go once the season is underway."

Expect to see junior Larissa Melendez and sophomore Kristina Coiro up toward the front of the pack and post low scores for the Panthers in the team scoring at each meet. Melendez, a steeplechase specialist on the track, and Coiro, a long sprinter and middle distance maven, each had solid cross country campaigns in 2012 and are poised for another strong season. "Larissa had a strong track season and has put in the miles over the summer and Kristina had an outstanding freshman campaign," exclaimed Rees. "I believe both of these girls will progress considerably and will have a big impact on this team's success."
 
Rounding out the veterans are Cecelia Capozzoli, Lindsey McLaughlin and Sara Kulins. "I expect Cecelia, Lindsay and Sara to consistently improve from week to week as they did last year," stated Rees. "Lindsay was always our number six or seven runner, and Sara was right there before surgery cut her season short. She's fully recovered this year and ready to contribute. Cecelia appeared on the radar last year and helped the team make nationals with a commendable race at the Regional Championship. I expect big things from her this year."
 
The team welcomes the addition of Taylor Velez and Nicole Elarde. Velez, a product of St. Catherine Academy has cross country experience and is a middle distance runner on the track while Elarde hails from Commack High School and will make the transition from the soccer field to the trails. "I'm excited to see what our two freshmen can contribute to the team," stated Rees. "Their summer training should give them solid bases and make the transition to collegiate racing easier."