Ex-Bruin Runner Larson Begins Rebuilding GFU Cross Country

09/19/2008 - article care of Blair Cash - George Fox University

CROSS COUNTRY PREVIEW:

NEWBERG, Ore. - In the early 1990's, Jeff Larson was a member of some of George Fox University's finest cross country teams which regularly won NAIA District 2 titles and competed in the NAIA National Championships under head coach Wes Cook. Now, three years after Cook retired, the former Bruin runner has returned to his alma mater in an effort to restore the Bruins to a similar competitive status in the NCAA Division III.

After many years as a highly-successful high school coach, Larson is looking forward to the challenge of guiding the Bruins back into prominence in the Northwest Conference and the NCAA. While his official title is that of assistant coach, head coach John Smith, who also has charge of the George Fox track and field programs, is giving Larson pretty much free reign to do what it takes to restore the Bruin fortunes.

"I'm very comfortable here; it's like coming home," says Larson, who joined the George Fox staff last December and worked with the distance runners on the Bruin track and field teams in the spring. "Being able to work with some of the distance runners this past spring was a real benefit; they got to know me and my system, so I don't really feel like a first-year coach."

The George Fox women are coming off an 8th-place finish in the Northwest Conference Championship and 11th in the NCAA West Regional, while the Bruin men placed 5th in the conference and 9th in the regional.

"Our women's program this fall is what you might call the epitome of a rebuilding year," admits Larson. "Because of the timing of my hiring, the loss of our three best runners to graduation, and some academic difficulties, right now we only have four women on the team. Five are necessary for team scores, so we won't be focusing on that aspect of the program as much as we will on individual performances and personal improvement, laying the groundwork for next year. Our runners understand that and are committed to making it work."

The Bruins' lone senior is Mary VanSteenberghe (Jr., Gold Hill, Ore. /Crater HS), who is a junior athletically after sitting out last year. "Mary is our senior captain and has been doing an excellent job in a leadership role," observes Larson. "She is a hard worker and makes sure the others are right there with her."

Bethany Strutz (Jr., Billings, Mont. / Billings HS) is the lone returnee from last year. "Bethany is still battling back from a leg injury she suffered at the end of track season last spring," says Larson, "but is gradually getting into shape and should be ready to go soon."

The two newcomers on this year's team are Abby Reed (Fr., Kodiak, Alaska / Kodiak HS) and Olivia Clark (Fr., Central Point, Ore. / Crater HS). "Abby will probably be our top runner this season," Larson predicts. "She had an outstanding senior year and placed high at the state meet. Olivia comes from southern Oregon and a Crater program that has a good reputation, so she knows how to run."

The men's program has no numbers problem with four returnees and five newcomers, but the team is still relatively young, with no seniors at all. "We have a strong core group for this year and the next," notes Larson. "We probably won't challenge for the conference championship this year, but I think we'll be surprising some people; when the time comes, I believe we will be better than expected."

The Bruins' top returning runner is Cam Eberhart (Jr., Albany, Ore. / West Albany HS), who earned All-Region honors last year by placing 26th in the regional race. "Cam will probably be our No. 1 runner again this year," says Larson.

Jordan Ware (Jr., Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS) and Paul Rapet (Jr., Medford, Ore. / South Medford HS) each bring back two years of experience. "Both Jordan and Paul are more natural 800 runners but are working hard to improve their distance skills," Larson comments. "Jordan will serve as our distance captain this year."

Also back is Bradley Higgins (So., Grants Pass, Ore. / Grants Pass), who has made tremendous strides. "Bradley actually won our team time trials two weeks ago, which was a terrific boost to his confidence," Larson says.

Lane Community College transfer Ryan Erickson (Jr., Eugene, Ore. / Churchill HS) is the most experienced newcomer to the Bruins. "Ryan has had a nagging injury early on," Larson points out, "but we have big expectations of him as the season progresses and he continues to recover."

Allen Cassel (Fr., Anchorage, Alaska / Heritage Christian HS) "is probably our top recruit," says Larson. "Allen was among the top five two-milers in the state at any level, and his addition is a big boost to our program."

Rounding out the squad are Ryan Lane (Fr., Portland, Ore. / Reynolds HS), Wesley Bollinger (Fr., Cedaredge, Colo. / Cedaredge HS), and Jacob Cuniff (Fr., Boring, Ore. / Sandy HS), the latter a recent addition to the team in the last week. "Ryan, Wesley, and Jacob are all just learning the ropes," says Larson, "and could become real contributors before too long."

The season gets under way for the Bruins and their new coach in the Big Wave Invitational, hosted by the University of Hawai'i, on Saturday, Sept. 20, in Honolulu. The men's 5K race begins at 7:20 a.m. Hawai'i time (9:20 a.m. Pacific), followed by the women's 4K race at 7:50 a.m. (9:50 a.m. Pacific), at the Kane'ohe Klipper Golf Course on Marine Corps Base Hawai'i.