Wichita, KS - As the 2010 Cross Country season draws near, anticipation is building throughout the program. After very successful campaigns in 2009, both the men's and women's squads will look for further improvements this season. Head coaches Brad Peterson and Matt Kennedy expect great results from their runners after a summer full of hard work and training.

On the men's side, many runners are looking to make an impact this season. Led by junior Camron Walter and seniors Matt Ditzler and Dan Neidlinger, the Falcons are prepped for a big year. Walter finished in 7^th place at the 2008 NAIA National Cross Country Championships, while Ditzler came in 28^th at the 2009 national meet. Ditzler also earned All-American honors last season, becoming the first Falcon to do that since 2006. Neidlinger has competed in the national meet in his first three years, and looks to go out on a high note in his senior season. Coach Peterson added that "Walter and Ditzler have the talent to run with anyone in the country, and Neidlinger is close behind." Another runner that looks to excel is senior Tim Patterson, who Peterson calls "the most improved runner in the program." Other expected contributors include sophomore Michael Gurley and Cameron Sprague, a highly-touted recruit out of Hutchinson. Loaded with talent and experience, the Falcons are primed and ready to challenge Southwestern and bring home the KCAC title.

The women's team also anticipates great success in 2010. The squad returns six of their top seven runners from a 2009 team that finished second in the KCAC and earned a national ranking of number 20. The coaches will look for leadership from senior Taylor Doll and juniors Jordan Arnold and Karissa Cominator. Arnold expects to compete well after narrowly missing All-American honors last season. Arnold, Doll, and Cominator all qualified for the national meet in 2009, and they are expecting further success this season. Other returners that are expected to compete include junior Lindsay Dunham and sophomores Lanae Kidd, Shelby Smithhisler, and Kristie Adams. A very talented recruiting class will also look to help out the squad in 2010. Rachel Renken, a recruit from Downs-Lakeside High School, hopes to make an immediate impact. Brook Vining, also a freshman, had "an outstanding summer of training and will definitely be a major contributor," Peterson added. With a good group of returners and a set of talented freshmen, the Lady Falcons hope to compete for a conference title after finishing second in 2009.