by Sean Ditmore
Sports Information Intern

Wayland Baptist University's 2009 cross country campaign officially got underway last weekend at Texas Tech University.

Despite a disappointing showing against Tech, expectations continue to be high for the Pioneer men, who will compete Saturday in the Texas A&M Invitational, while the women's squad will look to use this year to develop new talent.

The Pioneer men begin the season ranked 15th in the nation. Coach Brian Whitlock, who is in his sixth year as head of the WBU Cross Country program, says that he is expecting a big year out of his men's team. "We should be that good by the end of the year. I'm expecting us to have our best finish ever."

The team, which goes nine deep, is a mix of budding talent and experienced veterans. The upper-classmen, seniors Kirby Dunn and Timmy McCune, will be important contributors during the season, according to Whitlock, while younger talent like sophomores Michael Sandoval and Lucious Lopez, along with freshman Hildon Boen, will be critical to the team's success as well.

"Michael and Lucious are running really well, and Hildon is looking good so far. Victor LeMay is a strong candidate to push for a top five spot."

LeMay is a sophomore who is coming off a redshirt season. The challenger for that fifth spot could come from freshman Edward Taragon, who is recovering from surgery to repair a heart murmur.

"If Edward Taragon can come back we could potentially be a top ten team."

Depth is a key to any cross country team, and Whitlock believes his depth will help carry him through. Junior John Keith and freshmen Andy Lucio and Jarrod Morris round out the 2009 Pioneer team, although

The women's squad finished sixth in the NAIA national championships last year, the second time in as many years and the third straight year the team qualified.

This year's squad is consists of four after an early injury to talented freshman Kendra Dunn. Senior Diana Gutierrez, who has seen limited action in her first three seasons due to stress fractures in both feet, and three freshmen Catherine Luebner, Jennifer Secrest and Milca Villegas, will represent the Pioneer women this fall.

"The girls are very young and inexperienced this year, but hopefully they can develop, get some experience and maybe make the national meet as individuals."

The WBU women will return to action on Friday, Sept. 18 in Lubbock at the Texas Tech Invitational.