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Show Sportstacular Page 14 September 1 3. 1 979 'Cats gear into now season With a little luck and a few leu injuries, Weber States 79 edition of cron country should have what it takes to pouibly go all the way in the Big Sky Conference this upcoming fall. Thats the way Coach Chick Hislop, alio enters his eleventh season as a Wildcat mentor sees it. But to get to the top, the Wildcats will be fighting in probably what will be one of the toughest and most competitive years in Big Sky cron country history. Nevada-Renthe newest school in the conference is a strong pick in anyones book to finish at or near the top of league standings. Northern Arizona returns numerous stars from last seassons championship squad. Weber, Boise, Idaho should make it a battle for the next three spots but nothing says that neither of these schools could go all the way. Norberto Segura returns as the Wiledcats top runner, a junior from Mexico City, Mexico. Segura is the defending three-tim- e champion in the Big Sky 10,000 meter run. Last season he claimed first in the run and was voted the MVP of that indoor o, two-mi- le event. Speaking of this top runner, Hislop said, Segura really hasnt had a good year in crou country yet but barring injuries this year should be one of the top runners in the' conference. Javier Chavez is another Wildcat runner from Mexico. He too is a junior and will be a senior in track. He ran most of last season with a painful back but still finished fourth in the Big Sky Conference Cross Country Championships held at Kaysville, Utah. He is the record holder of the 1500 meter run in Big Sky outdoor competition. Chavez has always classified himself as a miler, but the day he sells himself completely to cross country, hell be a great one, said Hislop. Doug Friedli, Roy, Utah, redshirted last season due to injuries. Coach Hislop is high on this runner who lettered as a freshman for Weber State then spent the next two years on an LD.S. Mission. If he can beat the injuries, he could very well be one of our top runners, if not the top. Doug has very good speed and good strength. Sometimes Doug has a problem of oversaid working but hes some kind of competitor, Hislop. Rex Hohnholt, junior, from Guernsey, Wyoming, is back again for Weber State. He completed a very successful track season by finishing third in the indoor and outdoor mile run and third in the steeplechase. Paul Pilkington is a runner who Hislop may redshiri this year. Injuries have nagged him for some time and caused him to even miss the track season last year. Robert Whetten finished tenth in the Big Sky cross country race in 78 and 23rd in last years race. He was Hislops sixth man last season. Robert gets himself involved in so many things at school that sometimes his cross country is hurt by it," said Hislop, We do however expect great things from him in 1979." Two runners, just recently returned off L.D.S. Missions are back for Weber State. They include Bill Tervort and Kelt Knowles. Newcomers this year include Ken Dollar, Brian Appell, Mark Wayment, Clark Roberts and Scott Oolvin. |