The Daily OrangeMen's and women's cross country to compete for the first time at Nationals as entire team
By Rachel Stern
Posted: 11/19/09, 11:32 PM EST Section: Sports
The Syracuse cross country teams will certainly stand out on Monday when they head to Terre Haute, Ind. to compete in the NCAA Championships.
While the women are ranked No. 12 and the men are ranked No. 9 in the nation in the latest Pre-National USTFCCCA poll, it's more than just talent that will set them apart.
The men's squad implemented, what sophomore Pat Dupont referred to as, "no shave November," and while some have had more success than others, the facial hair on all the runners is visible.
"A couple of years ago we all grew it out for Penn Relays, so I guess it is an informal tradition we do to intimidate the opponents," said senior Dan Busby, sporting a full beard. "But I don't think it will work, they will probably just think we are chumps."
While the tactic may not be the most intimidating, it demonstrates a team unity that has been present all season. It is this unity that the Orange hopes will help them capture a top 10 finish against the nation's top runners.
For the first time in program history, the men will run as a team in Terre Haute, while the women will compete for the second year in a row. Syracuse was the only program in the country to have both the men and women win Regionals and while the accolades continue to pile up, the season comes down to the championships.
"They have had great goals all year and they have never gotten too carried away with being successful at all yet," said head coach Chris Fox. "We go, we do our job at the meet and then we come back on Monday and get back to work. We haven't even talked about Regionals since it happened."
In addition to the facial hair, the Orange will stick out, as they are one of only a handful of teams to have both their men and women racing in Terre Haute.
The Syracuse contingency will also include members of the team who are not racing, but will make the 11-hour drive to support their teammates.
"Everybody is really excited about it," Dupont said. "Even the guys who are not racing are pumped up about it, so it is going to be a great atmosphere. This is just huge."
While the women are ranked No. 12 and the men are ranked No. 9 in the nation in the latest Pre-National USTFCCCA poll, it's more than just talent that will set them apart.
The men's squad implemented, what sophomore Pat Dupont referred to as, "no shave November," and while some have had more success than others, the facial hair on all the runners is visible.
"A couple of years ago we all grew it out for Penn Relays, so I guess it is an informal tradition we do to intimidate the opponents," said senior Dan Busby, sporting a full beard. "But I don't think it will work, they will probably just think we are chumps."
While the tactic may not be the most intimidating, it demonstrates a team unity that has been present all season. It is this unity that the Orange hopes will help them capture a top 10 finish against the nation's top runners.
For the first time in program history, the men will run as a team in Terre Haute, while the women will compete for the second year in a row. Syracuse was the only program in the country to have both the men and women win Regionals and while the accolades continue to pile up, the season comes down to the championships.
"They have had great goals all year and they have never gotten too carried away with being successful at all yet," said head coach Chris Fox. "We go, we do our job at the meet and then we come back on Monday and get back to work. We haven't even talked about Regionals since it happened."
In addition to the facial hair, the Orange will stick out, as they are one of only a handful of teams to have both their men and women racing in Terre Haute.
The Syracuse contingency will also include members of the team who are not racing, but will make the 11-hour drive to support their teammates.
"Everybody is really excited about it," Dupont said. "Even the guys who are not racing are pumped up about it, so it is going to be a great atmosphere. This is just huge."
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