Aug. 30, 2002

Q: With a good recruiting class coming in on the men's side, and a great set of returnees on the women's side, how excited are you to start the season Saturday morning?

Coach Whittlesey: "We are very excited. This is the most enthusiasm the men have shown since my first season, five years ago. The future of men's cross-country here at Carolina is very bright. On the women's side, it is amazing the talent we are bringing back. The maturity of the group, now that they are juniors and seniors, instead of freshman and sophomores, really makes a big difference."

Q: I asked Brian McGovern the other day what some of the keys to success are for the men, and he said that they have to learn to run as a pack. Do you think this is very important and vital to success this season?

Coach Whittlesey: "This is definitely a key. It will be our main goal in the first couple of races. Last year we had a big inflex in our front five, which made it difficult for them to stay together. Now, most of our five are coming back and they have made the transition, so I think they will be fine this year."

Q: In the preseason there are always aches and pains, with any sport. What is our situation like as we start the season and who is racing tomorrow morning at Campbell University?

Coach Whittlesey: "On the men's side we are only resting Dash Victor. He has a history of getting injured, so we are going to take it easy on him for the first couple of weeks. Other than that, the men's team is very healthy, and I hope that it stays that way.

"The women's cross-country team will be without the top four runners from a year ago. Shalane Flanagan (NCAA Runner of the Year), Carol Henry (ACC Freshman of the Year), Erin Donohue and Liz Awtrey will all be resting due to the long season with track and field last year. This will give us an opportunity to see where the new girls are at and see what good runners like Alice Schmidt can do when called upon. She had a tremendous track season and I anticipate her to really pick it up for us in cross-country this season. It will be nice to see what the new runners can do."

Q:How important is it for the new recruits to come in and be successful?

Coach Whittlesey: "The first meet is always tough for the new runners. They will be putting on the Carolina Blue for the first time and that always creates high anxiety. This is a good meet for them to get their feet wet. The race is a 5K for the men and 4K for the women, which is what most of the runners have been competing at in high school. Most college races are 8K for the men and 6K for the women and that takes some getting used to for the freshman. So this race will provide a good challenge for all the new runners and give me a chance to see them in collegiate competition."

Q: How big of a role do the returnees play in the freshman adapting to the collegiate atmosphere and tutoring them on what it takes to be competitive at the collegiate level?

Q: "It plays a huge role! In the years past we haven't always had the juniors and seniors to help the freshman. The men's cross-country team has struggled with this, but this year I can already seeing the older runners helping the younger ones.

"The women's cross-country team has always had great leaders and competitors that know what it takes to compete at the national level. That is why they have been so successful throughout the years.

"I know we have great leaders on both the men and women's teams, so I am confident that we are going to have a good season."

Q: What expectations do you have for the race on Saturday?

Coach Whittlesey: "My expectations are for us to run as a pack. I think the women could easily come in one through five within 20-30 seconds. I know Schmidt can lead the way and have all the girls right behind her. Most of the recruits we have brought in have won state titles and know what it takes to be a champion. Now they are going to be put in the fire and we will see how they respond. I anticipate that I will be very pleased when the race ends on Saturday."