MEADVILLE, Pa. - The men's and women's cross country programs at Allegheny kick off the 2011 season on Saturday at the Bill Sudek Classic hosted by Case Western Reserve University. Two programs ensconced by deep winning traditions, the teams will approach their goal of sweeping the NCAC's championship crowns through vastly different means.

The men's cross country team has been a model of success in both the conference and on the national scene during the last decade. Winners of seven consecutive league titles, the Gators have sent full teams to the NCAA's every year during that stretch. Eight All-Americans and two top-three finishes at the NCAA Championships have highlighted a magnificent run, while the team secured its highest national ranking in team history during the last campaign (No. 2).  That Gators' top five harriers included four seniors, but Allegheny is hoping to re-load rather than re-build.

Leading the way in 2011 is Bobby Over. The junior transfer has yet to don the Blue and Gold for a fall season, but was outstanding last spring. Earning a national qualifying mark in the steeplechase en route to a new school record, Over has proven to be a tough competitor, and the Gators' will be looking to that toughness to lead them through a challenging slate. Over has quickly established a penchant for stepping up big when it counts and he could be the lead cog in a team laden with depth.

Challenging Over for the top spot on the unit is junior co-captain Mike Vlah, who tasted ultimate success last winter as the lead off leg in Allegheny's DMR victory at the 2011 NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships. Although Vlah is a converted middle-distance runner, he too seems to perform best under the spotlight and his competitive drive and even-keeled approach has resulted in a positive mindset for the whole group.

Senior Pat McLaughlin will also be a fixture in the lead group after spending most of last season among the top five. The coaching staff is developing a plan for McLaughlin to build on a solid spring season that included a fourth-place finish in the 10,000m at NCAC's as well as a big PR.

Kansas State transfer Kevin Edwards trained in Germany over the summer after enduring an injury-riddled track season, and should also be a key driver in the Gators' postseason aspirations. Although he is two years removed from a cross country season, Edwards is a strong runner with the capability of piecing together a great season as he learns to become more tactical on race day.

Senior co-captain Brennan Hamilton headlines a lengthy list of harriers battling for a spot in the top seven. The compact group, which also includes Jack Dennison, Evan Breitsch, Jack Gleeson, and Gregory Eyer, should lead to a small delta for the Allegheny chase pack. In addition, several freshmen could emerge in the fray, including Don Seitz, James Rynes, and Alex Simon. Seitz posted the top time among the rookies in the team's first time trial of the year, and has enjoyed a solid preseason of training.

“It doesn't matter who we have in the lineup, the goals remain the same,” noted second-year head coach Brent Wilkerson, who was named NCAC Coach of the Year last season. “We want to win the conference and get back on top in the region. Winning the Conference will be the hardest it's ever been, but I have a ton of confidence in our guys.”

The women's team lacks the depth of the men, but they boast two of the best runners in the league in Kelly Gallagher and Kristina Martin, and return four of the top five on a team that finished second at the 2010 NCAC Cross Country Championships by a mere two points. Gallagher is a great team captain, and after finishing third overall at the NCAC meet last fall, returns as the team's top performer. Gallagher lives the running lifestyle, and has the makings of a four-time All-Conference performer.

Martin, who closed fourth at Conference in 2010 as a rookie, was arguably the Gators' top runner at the end of the season. A 2011 national qualifier in the steeplechase, the second-year standout increased her mileage in the summer and is an outstanding gamer. A key to her success could rely on her ability to be more strategic in her race planning, although after earning All-Conference plaudits in three consecutive seasons as a freshman, Martin is primed for a special second year.

While Martin made a huge and immediate impact as a rookie last year, Allegheny hopes to replicate that magic with first-year talent Andy Sharfman. A native of Crawfordsville, Ind., Sharfman is a confident runner and excited to follow a great high school career with a strong college campaign.

The chase pack includes Amber Wetzel and Sara Mitrano. Wetzel, who serves as the team's lone senior, has done a fantastic job despite splitting time as a lacrosse player, and has enjoyed a great start to the fall. Mitrano may have been the team's breakout performer after a terrific spring that ended with a fifth-place finish at Conference in the 1,500m, but she's looked even better throughout the summer. Her times have dropped significantly from a year ago, and the coaching staff will be counting on her to be stronger in the hills.

Several unknowns complete the mix, including sophomore Suzanna Kearns, and freshmen Marisa Brown and Alex Opsitnick. Kearns is finally injury free after a tough rookie year and Brown was a talented middle distance performer in high school.

“We have a small team, and know that we'll need to stay healthy to achieve our potential,” said Wilkerson. “The expectation will be to perform well when it matters, and I feel great about the team's chances in our pursuit of an NCAC title.”