Pioneer cross country ready for new season

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Platteville men’s and women’s cross country teams have a total of 14 letter winners returning for the 2015 season. After finishing third and seventh at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, respectively, the Pioneers are hopeful for the new season.

On the women’s side, Kiera Depies, a two-time All-WIAC runner and three-time letter winner for the Pioneers, and Chelsey Heiden, an All-Region runner and two-time letter winner, will be key after losing four-time letter winner Danielle Kunkel and three-time letter winner Andrea Knutson.

“Our women’s team should be much improved with more depth than the last three or four years,” said Head Coach Tom Antczak. “Look for us to be in the top half of the WIAC and in the top 10 at NCAA Regionals.”

As for the men, junior Ian LaMere, the fifth place finisher at NCAA Cross Country Nationals in 2014 and track and field national champion in the 10,000 meters last spring, will pace the Pioneers through the season after losing four of their top five runners from last season in Joel Walden, Sam Poser, Ethan Shanks and Matt Smaga.

“It will definitely be a rebuilding year for the men after having lost four of our top five,” said Antczak. “We will need to rely on our freshmen more than usual.”

The Pioneers travel to UW-Whitewater for the Warhawk Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 19. The women take off at 10:45 a.m. with the men to follow at 11:45 a.m.

Written by: Carly Willman, University Information and Communications, 608.342.1194, willmanc@uwplatt.edu