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Sept. 4, 2009

SPOKANE, Wash. - Gonzaga University's cross country season - and year two of the Pat Tyson era - begins Saturday with the second Clash of the Northwest at Mead High School.

The women's race begins at 10 a.m. followed by the men at 10:30 a.m.

And the second-year head coach is excited about the upcoming season, assembling what he believes is a strong nucleus for what will continue to evolve into a strong program.

"There's no doubt when you come in your first year you inherit what you get," Tyson said. "You take what you are given and do the best you can. Every year I've started a program it's been that way, from my high school days at Shorecrest and into the collegiate jobs I've had at Kentucky and now at Gonzaga."

But the man who made his legacy as the 18-year head cross country coach at Mead High is convinced the program has already turned the corner.

"We have guys and gals who are competitive and know what it takes to be competitive," Tyson said. "They know they are here for two sports - cross country and track - and that it is a year-round commitment."

He has a couple of veterans returning on the men's side who may be ready for breakthrough seasons.

Junior Matt Bejar finished 17th at last year's West Coast Conference Championship and sophomore Brett Withers placed 33rd. They return this season as co-captains to anchor the men's squad.

Bejar won't compete Saturday as he is recovering from a foot injury that has hampered him most of the summer, while Withers seems injury free after nagging injuries had him in and out of the lineup during both the cross country and track seasons a year ago.

In addition to Bejar and Withers, Tyson also looks for Andrew Walker to be in the thick of the competition for a top seven spot.

Junior Ian Berge is a runner Tyson said "is on the bubble" for a top seven spot and "he is working hard to maintain being in the top seven." Berge finished 44th in last year's WCC Championship.

One of the newcomers Tyson is expecting to make a top seven spot is Brian Hernandez, a freshman out of San Rafael, Calif.

"Our kids are asking, `Who is this guy.' He brings a lot to the table with desire, work and passion," Tyson noted.

Ben Lance, a freshman from Mill Creek, Wash., placed in the State track meet last spring in both the 1,600 and 3,200 meter races. He has an injury probably won't race Saturday but "will be a factor his season," according to Tyson.

Freshmen Jared Gregorio, Denver, Colo.; Patrick Richie, Grand Rapids, Minn.; Jared Christian Springfield, Ore., and Christian Burger, Portland, Ore., are newcomers Tyson thinks will challenge for spots this year and be the foundation for the future.

Throw into that mix Gonzaga Prep freshman Tate Kelly from Spokane and Lucas Rothenberger, a freshman transfer from Loyola Marymount University who joined the Bulldogs for track last spring, and Tyson likes the make-up of the team.

"You know Tate will be in the top seven if he stays healthy, and the others are battling for positions. We've got an arsenal. There's no entitlement allowed this year," Tyson said.

On the women's side, veteran Laura Volcheff returns for her junior campaign after finishing 34th in last year's WCC Championship. And Tyson said there's plenty of competition for her this season.

"Laura has a posse of young ladies who look to be as good as her which is exciting for her because she is all about the team," Tyson said.

That competition begins with senior Molly Funk, 40th in the WCC Championship last fall; Corrina O'Brien, a senior who finished 44th in the WCC meet last season, and Elizabeth Slamkowski, who is back as a sophomore after being injured most of last season.

"Molly is back and was coming on strong in the 5,000 last spring. Corrina is more of an 800 runner but did her homework over the summer and is in the mix. Liz is healthy and would have helped us last year, so we're excited about her being back and healthy," Tyson said.

Sophomore Molly Moore also returns and, according to Tyson, "is a veteran out there with the top dogs."

And Tyson is exceptionally excited about the newcomers.

"You have to love the newbies," he said. "Brenn Donnelly, a transfer from Loyola Marymount, brings a lot to the plate. Lauren Bergam from Spokane's East Valley is competitive. Lacey Nation from Everett is a State track and field placer who loves to compete and is right in the mix."

One big surprise, according to Tyson, is Kayla Lloyd out of Hood River who was on campus last year but did not compete.

"If she stays healthy she has the possibility to finish in the top 10 in the conference. We could have a few young ladies in the top 20," the ever-upbeat Tyson said.

Tyson said the competition on both the men's and women's side is the best things to happen to help improve the team.

"That is awesome," Tyson said not only of the number of runner but of the quality of athletes. "That's what they needed. Those kids back who were maybe on the team are looking at it more like this is the real world, not that they (newcomers) are taking spots. When you are sixth or seventh in the conference you have to look to something to stimulate it."

"The Lady Bulldogs look way improved over last year, along with the men. How good we are going to be I don't know," Tyson said. "It depends on if the other schools upgraded like we did. I would think anybody who has been involved with the program would say this is the most potential talent ever at Gonzaga, but it is all young."

Saturday's Clash of the Northwest will see the Bulldogs joined by co-host Eastern Washington University, the University of Idaho and Washington State University.

"A lot of us will run our freshmen and other newcomers unattached just to preserve a year of eligibility in the event they do not make the top seven this year," Tyson said. "But some of our freshmen, like Tate Kelly, are part of the stimulus, so you'll see them."