Preseason Q&A with Coach Anthony Sanders
I hope to establish a quality group of athletes who will return their sophomore year as leaders, building a productive culture for future athletes.
Q: What are your expectations for the upcoming season?
A: I expect each athlete to demonstrate consistent improvement. We know where they need to get to while they are LBW XC athletes. Each day is an opportunity to take a step toward achieving those goals.
Q: How have preseason preparations been going for the team?
A: Preseason preparation has been a challenge. Particularly for student-athletes who live in the dorms and didn't move in until the middle of August, preseason is short. They only have two weeks of team preparation before their first event.
Q: What are the team goals for the program this year?
A: Our team goal is to aggressively progress towards competitive times in the 5k and 8k distances we run.
Q: Who are the emerging leaders within the program?
A: On the men's side, I have three athletes emerging as leaders in various ways—Jacob Stewart, Eric Buttery, and Ty Clark. On the women's side, I have been impressed by Hadyn Owens, a multi-sport athlete who shows up and puts in the work to improve.
Q: What freshman player has impressed you the most so far? What do you see as his/her role on the team this year?
A: Jacob Stewart has impressed me the most thus far. Many of our cross-country athletes have excellent work ethics, but Jacob is also humble and eager to develop as a student of the science of running.
Q: What do you hope to achieve in the first season?
A: I hope to establish a quality group of athletes who will return their sophomore year as leaders, building a productive culture for future athletes.