Coming off a successful season, UT’s cross country team looked to start this year strong in the annual UT Early Bird Classic. Jarrett Slaven, head coach of the team, did not have it easy this time around when preparing for the meet. “It was kind of a fiasco because of the lightning storm that came in,” Slaven commented.
The start time was delayed until 7:30 p.m. and the oncoming darkness made the course more difficult to run.
The team trained hard over the summer.
They are sent workout routines every month in order to stay physically prepared for the quick start of the season.
Team members have to be motivated to follow the routine, but Slaven believes, “whoever follows these workouts comes back in best shape.”
With the fast pace of the season and it being so early in the school year, Slaven also feels that if you’re not fully prepared when school starts, it may be too late.
“By the time you get back in shape, the season is gonna be over,” he said.
Despite hosting the event, Slaven did not feel UT’s team had much of an advantage over competing teams.
“In cross country, if you’re familiar with the course, you might have a slight edge,” Slaven said, [but] “everybody comes early and jogs the course so they have a little knowledge… in the big picture, there’s not much edge.”
With the meet being delayed, both the men’s and women’s teams found themselves running on the course at the same time.
A few teams left due to the storm.
Regardless, the women’s team placed first, and the men placed third.
A great way to start the season, Slaven is quite optimistic about both of his teams, especially the women.
“The girls trained all summer long and the seniors came back in really good shape… we should really have a great season barring any injuries,” he said.
The women’s team won conference last year and placed 14th at nationals.
Therefore, expectations are high for the new year.
As far as the men are concerned, the coach believes Florida Southern’s team currently has an advantage over UT’s for first place.
“The top three teams get to go to nationals,” Slaven informed. “In the region we’re probably fifth or sixth, so we’ll need to have an unbelievable season [in order to be able] to go.”
Slaven and the team are of course mourning the loss of an important athlete.
“We’re all trying to hang in together,” said Slaven. “Initially it was a dark cloud because we expected Ryan to be with us. It’s a tough loss.”
Ryan McCall, a senior at UT, was a well-respected member of the cross country team.
Because everyone on the team is so close, Slaven believes they can pull together for a good season.
The team intends to dedicate the season to Ryan’s memory.
Slaven recalled Ryan’s great sense of humor and how much he loved life.
“I’m trying to remember that and carry on what would be his best wishes.”
Next on the cross country team’s schedule is a meet this Sept. 12 at Florida Tech.
Coach Slaven thinks it will be a good test for UT and that he’ll be able to “really get a true picture of what our teams look like.”
Daniel Feingold can reached at dfeingold@ut.edu.