OAKLAND, Calif. – Stanford should play a prominent role in the Pac-12 cross country championships on Friday, with expected contenders among both men and women.
It’s possible that the NCAA individual champions, if not team champions, will come out of this race, with reigning national champ Edward Cheserek and Arizona State’s Shelby Houlihan among the favorites. But Stanford has some intriguing competitors as well, with Wisconsin Invitational winner Maksim Korolev and fellow All-America Joe Rosa among the men and freshman Elise Cranny, the Washington Invitational champion, among the women.
Stanford will be gunning for its first conference team titles since 2010, when the Cardinal won both races. This year, the meet promises to be a shootout with five Pac-12 men’s teams ranked among the national top 12 and five women’s teams among the top 22.
The meet will mark the season debut of Cardinal sophomore Sean McGorty, the 2014 U.S. and NACAC cross country champion, and the first appearance of all of Stanford’s best available men in the same race.
After Pac-12’s, Stanford will host the NCAA West Regional on Nov. 14 at Stanford Golf Course, and attempt to advance to the NCAA Championships in Terre Haute, Ind., on Nov. 22.
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More on Friday’s meet:
What: Pac-12 Championships
Where: Metropolitan Golf Links, Oakland, Calif.
When: Women (6K, 10 a.m.); Men (8K, 11 a.m.)
Meet Information: Click here
Live Results: Click here
TV: Pac-12 Networks (Jim Watson, Dwight Stones, Lewis Johnson), to air Nov. 3, 6 p.m.
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USTFCCA Rankings:
Men: No. 9
Women: No. 11
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Stanford Men’s Overview: With the addition of sophomore Sean McGorty, who is making his season debut, this will be Stanford’s first race with essentially the team that will compete at the NCAA Championships. The Cardinal ran its first race with its ‘A’ team on Oct. 17 at the Wisconsin Invitational, finishing fifth as a team and getting an individual title from Maksim Korolev against a high-powered field that included six top-10 teams. Along with Joe Rosa’s eighth-place finish, Stanford joined Northern Arizona as the only schools to place two among the top 10. McGorty, the 2014 U.S. and NACAC junior cross country champion, has been working his way back from injury since last spring, and is expected to be at full strength by nationals. McGorty (13:37.64) is among four members of this Stanford team who have run sub-14 for 5,000 meters, joining Rosa (13:31.69), Korolev (13:42.56, 29:13.80), and Jack Keelan (13:55.59). A fifth, 2013 NCAA fifth-place finisher Jim Rosa (13:50.55, 28:57.51), is redshirting because of injury.
Stanford Women’s Overview: A young team, ranked No. 11, will bear watching in the coming years. World Junior 1,500 fourth-placer Elise Cranny leads a squad that could include three freshmen, three sophomores (all in their first seasons of eligibility), two juniors, and a senior. In other words, seven of their expected top nine are in their first collegiate seasons. Cranny, the 2014 U.S. junior national cross-country champ, had a memorable collegiate debut, winning the Washington Invitational on Oct. 4. In her second race, she was seventh at the Wisconsin Invitational. Stanford, however, is missing 2014 NCAA cross-country fourth-place finisher Aisling Cuffe, the NCAA indoor and outdoor 5,000 runner-up, who will likely redshirt because of injury.
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Stanford Team Honors:
Men
NCAA Men’s Titles: 4 (1996, 1997, 2002, 2003).
NCAA West Regional Titles: 14 (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013).
Pac-10/Pac-12 Conference Titles: 12 (1985, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2010).
Individual Pac-10/Pac-12 Titles: 7, Marc Olesen (1985), Jonathon Riley (2000), Grant Robison (2001-02), Ian Dobson (2003), Chris Derrick (2009), Elliott Heath (2010).
Women
NCAA Titles: 4 (2003, 2005, 2006, 2007).
NCAA West Regional Titles: 14 (1982, 1984, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007).
Conference Titles: 20 (1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010). Note: 15 were Pac-10/Pac-12 (since 1986).
Individual Pac-10/Pac-12 Titles: 9, Erin Sullivan (1999), Lauren Fleshman (2001), Sara Bei (2002-03), Arianna Lambie (2005-07), Kathy Kroeger (2012), Aisling Cuffe (2013).
Other Individual Conference Titles: 4, Ceci Hopp (1982, WCAA), Regina Jacobs (1983-84, WCAA; 1985, Pac-West).
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2013 Postseason Results:
Men
Pac-12: 3rd, 79 pts. (Top runner: 2, Jim Rosa 24:42; Top returner: 12, Michael Atchoo 25:23)
NCAA West Regional: 1st, 53 pts. (Top runner: 2, Jim Rosa 29:43; Top returner: 6, Michael Atchoo 29:54)
NCAA Championships: 19th, 417 pts. (Top runner: 1, Jim Rosa 30:08.9; Top retuner: 100, Michael Atchool 31:19.07).
Women
Pac-12: 5th, 129 pts. (Top runner: 1, Aisling Cuffe 21:04; Top returner: 33, Rebecca Mehra 22:48)
NCAA West Regional: 2nd, 94 pts. (Top runner: 3, Aisling Cuffe 19:15; Top returner: 39, Molly McNamara 20:33)
NCAA Championships: 11th, 322 pts. (Top runner: 4, Aisling Cuffe 20:09.3. Top returner: 160, Rebecca Mehra 21:42.2.)
Note: Top retuner indicates team’s top 2013 finisher competing in 2014.
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Stanford's Pac-12 Competitors
Men
Michael Atchoo, 5th sr. (Troy, Mich.; Troy HS)
• School indoor mile record-holder (3:57.14)
• Anchored distance medley relay team to 2014 NCAA indoor title.
• 2014 NCAA outdoor finalist in the 1,500m (eighth).
• Five-time track All-America, all first team (four indoor, one outdoor)
• Stanford’s No. 3 at 2013 NCAA (100th place) and Pac-12 championships (12th).
• Stanford’s No. 5 at Wisconsin Invitational.
• Graduate student in mechanical engineering (3.37 cumulative GPA).
Marco Bertolotti, 5th sr. (Port Washington, N.Y.; Paul D. Schreiber HS)
• Leadoff leg on 2014 NCAA indoor champion distance medley relay team.
• 1,500m personal best of 3:43.55.
• Stanford’s No. 7 at 2013 NCAAs (247th place) and No. 6 at Pac-12s (64th).
• Graduate student in mechanical engineering (3.51 cumulative GPA).
Patrick Gibson, So. (Bellingham, Wash.; Squalicum HS)
• Redshirted in cross country and outdoor track as a true freshman last year.
• Stanford’s No. 6 at the Washington Invite.
• Set Nike BorderClash record for XC meet between HS from Oregon and Washington.
• Has a two-mile best of 9:04.95c.
Jack Keelan, So. (La Grange Park, Ill.; St. Ignatius Prep)
• Second in a 1-2-3 Stanford sweep of the 2014 U.S. junior national XC championship.
• Fourth at the 2014 NACAC junior XC championship in Tobago, helping U.S. to victory.
• Ran track PB of 13:55.59 for the 5,000m at the 2014 Payton Jordan Invite.
• Redshirted in cross country and track as a true freshman last year.
• Stanford’s No. 2 at the Washington Invite (team did not include Korolev or Rosa)
• Stanford’s No. 6 at Wisconsin Invite (121st place).
Maksim Korolev, 5th sr. (Harrisonville, Mo.; Harrisonville HS; Harvard Univ.)
• Graduate transfer from Harvard, in first year at Stanford.
• Third at 2013 NCAA XC championships, the highest finish ever for a Harvard runner.
• 2013 Ivy League and NCAA Northeast Regional champ.
• 2014 Wisconsin Invitational champion on Oct. 17 for Stanford.
• USTFCCCA NCAA Division I Athlete of the Week (Oct. 20).
• Three-time All-America (one indoor T&F, one outdoor T&F, one XC).
• Born in Kazakhstan, moved to U.S. at age 7 with mother, Almira Miles, a chemist.
• Half Russian, half Tatar.
• Graduated from Harvard with degree in human development and regenerative biology.
• Degree focused on research techniques, particularly with stem cells in relation to aging.
• Stanford graduate student in management science and engineering.
• Personal bests are 13:42.56 for 5,000 and 29:13.80 for 10,000.
• Loves to run, a lot. Harvard coach limited him to 100 miles per week.
• Limited by shin splints during 2014 indoor and outdoor track seasons.
• Supplements training with cycling and an altitude tent, which he places over his head at night.
Sean McGorty, So. (Fairfax, Va.; Chantilly HS)
• Making 2014 season debut at Pac-12’s.
• Won 2014 U.S. junior XC championship while leading Stanford to 1-2-3 finish.
• Won 2014 NACAC (N. American, Central American, and Caribbean) junior title in Tobago.
• Ran 5,000m best of 13:37.64 at 2014 Payton Jordan Invite.
• Has a mile best of 4:00.35.
• Limited by back injury since last spring.
• Stanford’s No. 4 at 2013 NCAA Championships (161st place).
• DNF’d at 2013 Pac-12 XC Championships.
• 2013 New Balance Outdoor Nationals track champ in two mile (8:45.61).
• Parents, Kevin and Vicki, both competed at North Carolina.
• Father competed in ‘88 and ’92 Olympic decathlon trials and coaches multis at George Mason.
Cameron Miller, Jr. (Bakersfield, Calif.; Stockdale HS)
• Did not run cross country his first two years because of injury.
• Going into this season, ran only one collegiate race, an indoor mile in 2014.
• Emerged as Stanford’s No. 4 at Wisconsin Invite.
• History major carries a 3.76 GPA.
• Sportswriter for the Stanford Daily.
• Considering a career in sports administration or as a sports agent.
Joe Rosa (West Windsor, N.J.; West Windsor-Plainsboro North HS)
• Two-time first-team T&F All-America in the 5,000m.
• Placed fifth at 2014 NCAA indoors and seventh outdoors.
• Twin brother of Jim Rosa, last year’s NCAA XC fifth-place finisher.
• Has personal bests of 13:31.69 (5,000) and 29:16.71 (10,000).
• Reigning Pac-12 10,000m track champion.
• Two-time HS Nike Cross Nationals champ.
• Stanford’s No. 1 runner most of 2012 XC season.
• Redshirted 2013 cross-county season with injury.
• Placed eighth at 2014 Wisconsin Invitational.
• Won 2014 Stanford Invitational.
• Majoring in management science and engineering.
Garrett Sweatt, Jr. (Edwardsville, Ill.; Edwardsville HS)
• Stanford’s No. 1, and eighth overall, at Washington Invite Oct. 4.
• In only race with Korolev and Rosa, was team’s No. 3 at Wisconsin Invite.
• Team’s No. 5 (34th) at 2013 Pac-12’s and No. 6 (196th) at NCAA’s.
• Personal bests of 3:48.09 (1,500m) and 14:08.43 (5,000).
• Majoring in biology, with a 3.25 GPA.
• Hopes to pursue a profession in cancer research.
Sam Wharton, So. (Tipp City, Ohio; Tippecanoe HS)
• In first season of collegiate competition.
• Stanford’s No. 4 at Washington Invite and No. 7 at Wisconsin.
• Redshirted in cross country and track as a true freshman last year.
• Third at 2014 U.S. junior cross country championships.
• Third at 2014 NACAC junior championships in Tobago, helping U.S. to team title.
• Won 2012 Nike Cross Nationals and was sixth at FootLocker nationals.
• Has personal best of 14:11.53 for 5,000m.
Women
Sophie Chase, So. (Burke, Va.; Lake Braddock HS)
• In first collegiate season after redshirting as a true freshman last year.
• Stanford’s No. 2 at Wisconsin Invite and No. 3 at Washington.
• Three-time FootLocker nationals XC finalist, placing sixth in 2012.
• Has track bests of 4:26.74 (1,500m) and 2:10.81 (800).
• Competed in state HS swim championships and regional indoor track meet on same day.
Elise Cranny, Fr. (Longmont, Colo.; Niwot HS)
• Won Washington Invite on Oct. 4 in collegiate debut (20:11).
• Seventh at the Wisconsin Invite on Oct. 17.
• Fourth in 1,500m at the IAAF World Junior T&F Champs on July 28 in Eugene.
• Was the top non-African runner.
• Ran 1,500 best of 4:10.95 at the 2014 Payton Jordan Invite.
• Only three college runners were faster in 2014; two were NCAA champions.
• The time made her the No. 3 HS performer all-time and the No. 5 U.S. junior.
• Won 2014 U.S. junior cross country title.
• Converting all 1,500’s and 1,600’s to miles, her 4:31.03c is No. 3 HS all-time.
• Graduated with a 4.34 HS GPA and as a member of the National Honor Society.
• Interested in a career in neuropsychology.
Emma Fisher, So. (Elmhurt, Ill.; York Community HS)
• In first season after redshirting as a true freshman last year.
• Stanford’s No. 1 in Stanford Invite, despite being trampled after a fall early on.
• Stanford’s No. 2 behind Elise Cranny at Washington Invite; No. 4 at Wisconsin.
• Track bests are 9:37.31 (3,000m) and 17:02.99 (5,000).
• Interested in career as an environmentalist.
Vanessa Fraser, So. (Scotts Valley, Calif.; Scotts Valley HS)
• In first season after redshirting as a true freshman last year.
• Has a track best of 16:22.64 for 5,000m.
• Won the open race at the Wisconsin Invitational (20:56).
• Became interested in running while in elementary school, through Girls on the Run, where HS students help kids train for a 5K.
Claire Howlett, Fr. (Stamford, Conn.; Westhill HS)
• Broke two Connecticut HS records on the same day, in the 1,600 and 3,200.
• Ran the No. 3 HS 5,000m time in the country in 2014 (16:28.71).
• Stanford’s No. 5 at Wisconsin Invite, and No. 6 at Washington.
• Editor of Westhill’s award-winning school newspaper.
Anna Laman, Fr. (Sydney, Australia; MLC School)
• 2014 IAAF World Junior track finalist in the 1,500m, placing 12th in Eugene, Ore.
• Won the 2014 Australian junior title in the 1,500m and was second in the 800.
• Has bests of 4:13.62 (1,500) and 2:05.27 (800).
Molly McNamara, Sr. (Little River, N.J.; Red Bank Catholic HS)
• Stanford’s No. 2 at Stanford Invitational; No. 6 at Wisconsin.
• Team’s No. 6 at 2013 Pac-12’s (54th) and No. 7 at NCAA’s (214th).
• Majoring in human biology and carries a 3.22 GPA.
• Has track bests of 4:24.96 (1,500m) and 2:09.21 (800).
Abbie McNulty, Fr. (Cumberland, R.I.; Bishop Feehan HS)
• Stanford’s No. 7 at Wisconsin Invite and No. 5 at Washington.
• Has a track best of 10:22.03 for 3,200 meters.
Rebecca Mehra , Jr. (Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.; Palos Verdes HS)
• Second-team 2014 outdoor track All-America in the 1,500m.
• Ran 4:17.82 for 1,500 in breakthrough 2014 season.
• Stanford’s No. 3 at Wisconsin Invite and No. 4 at Washington.
• Placed 33rd in 2013 Pac-12’s, and 50th in 2012.
• Stanford’s No. 3 at 2013 Pac-12s, and No. 5 at NCAA’s (160th).
• Coached in HS by Olympian and Stanford grad Jeff Atkinson.
• Majoring in international relations and carries a 3.41 GPA.
Claudia Saunders, Jr. (Cincinnati, Ohio; Princeton HS)
• 2014 NCAA outdoor 800 runner-up, behind Oregon’s Laura Roesler.
• It was Stanford’s highest-ever finish in that event.
• Her 800 best is 2:02.68, No. 3 in Stanford history.
• Sixth at the 2013 Pan Am Junior Championships in Medellin, Colombia.
• Great range in HS, winning state titles in the 100 hurdles and in cross country.
• Stanford’s No. 7 at the 2014 Washington Invite.
• Stanford’s No. 6 at 2013 NCAA XC Champs (196th place).
• Majoring in international relations.
• Hopes for a career in the U.N. or for a multinational organization.
• Speaks fluent French.
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Chris Miltenberg (Georgetown ’03)
Franklin P. Johnson Director of Track and Field
• Third season as men’s and women’s head coach for track and cross country
• Coached Georgetown women to the 2011 NCAA cross country title.
• Named 2013 USTFCCCA West Region Cross Country Coach of the Year.
• Coached Stanford men to NCAA West Region titles in his first two seasons.
• Also coached Kathy Kroeger (2012) and Aisling Cuffe (2013) to individual Pac-12 titles.
• Coached seven different runners, in five events, into 2014 NCAA outdoor track finals.
• One of his Card runners, Miles Unterreiner, was selected as a Rhodes Scholar.
• Coached the Cardinal men to the NCAA indoor distance medley relay title.
• Was a two-time All-America distance runner at Georgetown.