The Valparaiso boys are coming off of a seventh place finish at the Indiana State Cross Country Meet. This year the Vikings return six of their top seven runners from 2011 including top ten finisher Ari Coulopouluous. Coulopoulous finished ninth, but has a chance this year to finish in the top three and make the podium because twelve of the top fifteen runners from last year have graduated. The only loss from Coach Prow's squad was Ahmed Aljobeh the team's number three runner. This is a team that is heavy on upperclassmen. Only juniors and seniors make up the top seven. At number two is senior Landon Davison. Davison finished 57th at the Indiana State Cross Country meet. Rounding out the rest of the group are Taylor Bisacchi, Kevin Hickey, and Pat Dalton.
Several Valpo boys are coming off of great track seasons both indoor and outdoors. Senior Xavier Reed is healthy and ready to roll after posting a time of 4:26 for 1600 meters and 9:40 for 3200 meters. Landon Davidson has posted a season best of 10:03.30 at the Portage-Valparaiso Dual, while Patrick Dalton's 10:23.13 came at the same meet. More speed and endurance will come with the addition of senior Andrew Lyp who played on the Vikings' soccer team. He has been mixing it up with the top seven and could break the final roster, adding some valuable depth for the team.
Valparaiso opened it's season on their home course at Sunset Hills Farm on Tuesday. Next up for the Vikings, will be DAC rivals Crown Point and Chesterton at home August 28th. It is one step closer to a tough challenge that awaits them at LaVern Gibson with teams like Carmel and Hamilton Southeastern among others.
Coach Prow Says...
"Our team goals would be to WIN our Conference and go undefeated in the post-season. We are just taking it one meet a time and are looking forward to the post-season."
The Valparaiso boys are coming off of a seventh place finish at the Indiana State Cross Country Meet. This year the Vikings return six of their top seven runners from 2011 including top ten finisher Ari Coulopouluous. Coulopoulous finished ninth, but has a chance this year to finish in the top three and make the podium because twelve of the top fifteen runners from last year have graduated. The only loss from Coach Prow's squad was Ahmed Aljobeh the team's number three runner. This is a team that is heavy on upperclassmen. Only juniors and seniors make up the top seven. At number two is senior Landon Davison. Davison finished 57th at the Indiana State Cross Country meet. Rounding out the rest of the group are Taylor Bisacchi, Kevin Hickey, and Pat Dalton.