Last season’s finish was a sign of things to come for the men’s squad.
Senior Polo Burguete and junior Zach Batt represented the team at the NCAA Division III Championships in Kentucky after posting top-10 finishes in the regional.
Add junior Paul Christian to the mix, and the Tigers are looking at what could be one of the best men’s teams in program history.
A few of the team’s runners are currently battling pre-season injuries, which could create a slow start for an otherwise talent-heavy program.
“The season will be about overcoming a lot of obstacles,” said Burguete. “Our goal is to collectively build an attitude that will help us gain momentum and achieve results on the course.”
The three runners will be supported by seniors Pierce Sheehan and Josie Smith as well as sophomores Cole Martin and Nick Meszaros.
Key Losses: Brad Burch, C.J. Copeland, Jack Evans, Brad Wise
What to watch for: The trio of Batt, Burguete, and Christian have all qualified for Nationals at some point in their DePauw careers. Expect these three to push each other through Conference and beyond.
Best Case Scenario: Batt, Burguete, and Christian post PR’s and stay injury-free all season. DePauw’s get strong seasons from the supporting cast around the Tigers’ top three runners and the team wins the NCAC championships.
Worst Case Scenario: Injuries linger well into the year as the team struggles to put it all together. By the time conference rolls around, the Tigers are looking at a lost season and a missed opportunity to capitalize on the team’s talent.