The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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72 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY JACEY ZEMBAL N C State men's cross country coach Rollie Geiger is excited about his group of runners. That is telling because Geiger has been coaching at NC State since 1979, and he knows what is needed to field a competitive squad. NC State finished 22nd at the NCAA Championships last year, and five of its top seven finishers have returned. Replac- ing top senior Sam Parsons won't be easy, but Geiger expects a strong pack of run- ners, notes the goals "haven't changed" and knows the process will carry the squad through the season. "At the end of the day, you want to be in the national championships," Geiger said. "There is a conference goal, but the top goal is nationals. "It can be a tier system depending on the team. It can be top 25 or top 20, but we are a top-10 program over X amount of years. "We need to get back in the top 10. If you are in the top 10, you never know — it's any given day." Aubrey Myjer was granted a sixth year of eligibility and is the top returning runner from the NCAA Championships. He fin- ished No. 98 overall as the Wolfpack's No. 2 runner, while redshirt junior teammate Patrick Sheehan at No. 132 and redshirt sophomore Ben Barrett at No. 230 round out the returning scorers. Juniors Philip Hall and Elijah Moskow- itz, a transfer from Brown, also competed in the NCAA Championships. The Wolfpack also finished third at the ACC Championships, behind only first- place Syracuse and Virginia. "An ACC title is important," Geiger said. "When the ACC expanded its schools, I wish they had picked somebody else be- sides Syracuse. They have won a national title and were fourth a year ago. They've made it challenging." ■ PREVIEW MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY ■ Key Meets • Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational, Sept. 29 — The course in South Bend, Ind., will give the Wolfpack a chance to compete on what is considered a fast and flat setup. • Nuttycombe University of Wisconsin XC Invita- tional, Oct. 13 — Head coach Rollie Geiger views the Wisconsin meet as the best indicator of where the team is from a national standpoint. • ACC Championships, Oct. 27 — Syracuse remains the favorite in the ACC after taking home the title last year. The Orange have been strong in the league since joining from the Big East. Virginia will be solid, and Florida State could be a X-factor. MAKING NATIONALS A Deep Group Of Veteran Runners Has NC State Poised To Reach Its Gaol Aubrey Myjer, who was granted a sixth year of eligibility, is the top returning runner for the Wolfpack after finishing 98th at the 2016 NCAA Championships. PHOTO BY CHERYL TREWORGY/PRETTYSPORTY.COM