BRISTOL, TENN. (June 30, 2008) --- The King College men's and women's cross country team's will look to build upon the momentum created during the 2007 season which saw the women's team finish second in both the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Region XII Championships while the men finished fourth in the AAC Championships, and third in the NAIA Region XII Championships.
The men's team saw Freshmen phenom Daniel Hamilton (Franklin, N.C.) qualified individually for the NAIA National Cross Country Championships. Accompanying Hamilton at the championship was veteran Helania Masters (Church Hill, Tenn.). Having paved the way for a more prominent KingCollegeteam presence at the 2008 National Championships, this season promises endless possibilities.
Under the tutelage of first year head cross country coach Peter Dalton, the former EastTennesseeStateUniversity star and Irish native, looks to guide the Tornado's through a successful conference, region and national championship season.
Returning every member of the successful 2007 Lady Tornado's squad a trio of athletes will spearhead the attack.
Masters, an All-Conference and All-Region performer last season, will once again aim for a national qualifying finish at the AAC Conference Championships while 2007 AAC All-Freshmen duo of Amy Wallace (Winter Park, Fla.) and Carrie Nelson (Independence, Va.) now posses the experience to take on the best in the nation also.
Complimenting this talented trio is Emily Felty (Johnson City, Tenn.), Danielle Alfano (Chattanooga, Tenn.) and Beredu Teressa (Annapolis, Md.)whom are the backbone of the Lady Tornado’s 2008 team. All three are expected to show up strong when it counts.
"To return the entire 2007 roster is priceless," commented coach Dalton. "The mix of talent and experience creates exciting possibilities for the season ahead.”
The men’s team is led by a youthful group consisting of Hamilton, Jeremy Faulk (Kingsport, Tenn.) and Joseph Pair (Thompson Station, Tenn.).Hamilton smashed his 5,000 meter personal record, and the school record, during the outdoor season with 15:39 effort after a successful freshmen cross country campaign which culminated in his national cross country championships appearance. Faulk and Pair, both possessing sub 28 minute cross country personal records, will look to impact the season from the start.
Freshmen duo Ryan Pierce (Seymour, Tenn.) and hometown talent Justin Humphreys (Bristol, Tenn.) will be strong competitors and should make an immediate impact on the AAC All-Freshmen team. Both possessing 4:34 personal records in the mile Pierce and Humphreys will fit well with the team.
“With some consistency the men’s team has the talent to surprise,” said coach Dalton. “We don’t need to be surprised ourselves though,” he continued.