Proven veterans? Check. Stacked recruiting class? Check. An established coach with a documented history of success? Check and check. Indeed, the stars seem to be aligning for the Virginia cross country program, and this could be the year when it makes the significant leap from very good to elite.
"Without a doubt, I think we're a very talented team," coach Jason Vigilante said. "I've never seen a group this motivated and this prepared for a season, so I'm excited."\nVigilante is brimming with anticipation in part because of the impressive group of athletes returning from last season. On the men's side, senior All-American Emil Heineking and senior Ryan Collins, who finished first and second respectively at last year's ACC Championships, are both back. In total, the team returns six of its top seven runners from last season, during which they finished runner-up at the ACCs.
"We want to try to win everything until we get to nationals," Collins said. "We want to win all the home meets; we want to compete for the ACC title and hopefully we'll be able to do well at nationals as well."
The women's team closed last season strong, earning a third-place finish at ACCs and a second-place finish at the NCAA Southeast Regional meet. Senior All-American Catherine White, who last season became the first Cavalier ever to win the regional title, returns this year along with her two top teammates, senior Stephanie Garcia and junior Morgane Gay.
"I think for most of the summer, we've been cultivating a very high expectation for the season," Garcia said. "We're definitely hoping to be one of the top 10 teams in the NCAA, and there's no question that we can be up there with the talent we have right now."
Part of that talent comes from Vigilante's incoming freshmen on the women's side. FloTrak ranked them as the No. 2 recruiting class in the nation based on high school achievement.
"I know they can contribute right away, and I'm very excited about them," Vigilante said. "The women's class comes with lots of notoriety and tremendous track talent, and I'm certain that they're really eager to contribute."
Lofty goals and expectations abound, but Collins acknowledged that national recognition just comes with the territory. Although the Cavaliers are embracing the preseason acclaim, they may not be immune to the challenge every cross country team confronts in the long run: staying healthy and peaking at the right time.
"It's August, and everyone's in great shape," Garcia said. "I just hope that we train smart the next couple of months, because I would much rather we be in our top shape in October and November than in August and September"
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