NCAA Cross-Country Meet Awaits Confident Northridge

If experience and confidence are indeed ingredients for success, then the Cal State Northridge men’s cross-country team should perform well at Saturday’s NCAA Division II cross-country championships in Evansville, Ind.

Four runners have returned from the 1986 team that placed 10th in Division II. This year’s team expects to finish higher.

“Our immediate goal is to finish in the top five. Our big goal is to beat Cal State L. A.,” senior Craig Ingram said. “We didn’t know what to expect last year. Last year this meet was an event. This year it’s just a race.”

Sophomore Derik Vett, who placed fifth in the West regional two weeks ago, echoed Ingram’s sentiments.

“We’re not in awe of anyone this year,” said Vett, who placed 58th in the 1986 Division II championships. “We’re part of the competition. We feel like we’re on the same level as everybody else.”

Coach Don Strametz, who has coached the men’s team since 1979, said this year’s team is relaxed.

“Last year, I think the men’s team knew subconsciously that they had peaked for the regionals,” Strametz said. “When nationals came, they were flat, both physically and mentally. This year, they didn’t have to peak at regionals. They were good enough to work through that meet and still qualify for nationals.”

Senior Will James agreed with Strametz and said that the Matadors may scramble the Division II poll, which ranks CSUN 11th.

“I’m rested for the first time this year,” said James, who placed sixth in the West regional. “I’m shooting for an All-American position and I’m sure some of the other guys are, too. If I don’t finish in the top 25, I’ll consider this season a disappointment.”

The top 25 finishers in each race are honored as Division II All-Americans.

“We’re ready to run,” James added. “It’s just a matter of coming to the starting line hungry.”

Defending champion Edinboro State and runner-up South Dakota State, the 1985 champion, are expected to vie for the team title. CSLA and Southeast Missouri will lead the challengers.

In the women’s meet, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a heavy favorite to win its sixth consecutive team title.

CSUN, runner-up in 1985 and ‘86, was expected to contend for that position again until an injury slowed Tina Cheney at the West regional.

Cheney, who placed 30th at last year’s NCAA meet, hyperextended her left knee at the California Collegiate Athletic Assn. championships three weeks ago and hasn’t recovered fully.

Although she ran well at the West regional, Cheney isn’t running at peak efficiency and Strametz said that has affected the other runners.

“They know we need Tina healthy to run well,” Strametz said. “I think everyone is a little nervous about our chances.”

CSUN, ranked fifth, would have to run “an exceptional race to place second again,” Strametz said. “Everyone would have to run their best race of the season and I’m not sure if that’s possible.”

Darcy Arreola, a three-time Division II All-American in cross-country and track, will lead the Northridge charge.

Arreola, who placed 11th in last year’s meet, could place in the top seven Saturday. The forecast calls for clear skies with highs in the high-30s.