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Show Statesman Sports Page 10 Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010 Aggie runners face great expectations in 2010 By JORDAN ALLRED staff writer The Utah State men's and women's cross country teams stride into action this Saturday as they begin their respective seasons at the Utah State Open. The men are looking to build on their dynasty after winning their fifth consecutive WAC Championship in 2009 and return 10 runners this season. Junior Brian McKenna leads the Aggies this year. McKenna, who was the 2009 WAC Runner of the Year, expects the Aggies to have a special year in 2010. "We are going to go all out," said McKenna, who ran in the NCAA Cross Country Championships in 2009. "We set individual goals and as we bring those (goals) together we realize it's going to take us as far as we have ever gone." "Big things are coming," he added. The Aggie men have built a special bond. The juniors and seniors have all experienced the Aggie tradition of winning championships, and as McKenna describes it, they are all very close friends. "We have great dynamics The Celebrate America Show Not-For-Prot Corpor Utah State University Ballroom Dance Pr between the guys. I don't have any better friends than the guys on this team," he said. This summer the team spent a lot of time getting ready for the season. Aside from his weight training, McKenna and his teammates averaged between 70 and 90 miles of running each week in preparation for this season. "As always, we focused on high mileage over the summer," McKenna said. "The further you run, the better you'll run." An academic all-WAC selection, McKenna is the embodiment of a student-athlete. He said that while many of USU's athletes can feel overwhelmed with the extra stress that comes from competing at such a high level, he himself has found that running cross country has helped him in other areas of his life. "I feel like running more than anything helps me learn from my mistakes, and that has helped me to be motivat- Broadway-style SHOW Big Band DANCE USU Ballroom Sept. 8, 7:30 PM Get Tickets Caine School of Arts Box Office 435-797-8022 , TSC Ticket Office or www.celebrateamericashow.com JUNIOR RUNNER BRIAN MCKENNA competes in cross country action a year ago. McKenna looks to build on his success from 2009 and make a return to the NCAA Cross Country Championships again in 2010. Statesman file photo or at the Door A+ Banking Take it with you Start the year with an A+ in personal finance and convenience. A+ Account online banking means you can manage your account anytime 24/7 with just a few clicks. A+ Account includes: • Easy transfers from mom and dad • Online banking with Bill Pay and Web Teller • ATMs in the library and student center • Your very own branch just off campus • 24/7 Telephone Teller • Visa debit card ed in all aspects of my life," he said. The Aggie men are excited to show the rest of the nation what they are capable of when they travel to South Bend, Ind. on Oct. 1 to compete in the Notre Dame Invitational. "It's our best gauge for where we are as a team," McKenna said. "We will be up against some big schools." The Utah State men's team isn't the only cross country unit facing great expectations in 2010. The women have just as much, if not more, to prove this season. They are coming off a second place finish at last year's WAC cross country championships and are returning all but one runner from last year's team. Senior Kim Quinn, who placed 19th at last year's championships, pointed out that this year's team should be the favorite to win the WAC. Like the men, the women have been hard at work in training for the season. Over the summer, Quinn and her teammates worked on building a base for this season. Recently the Aggies held their cross country camp in Altamont, Utah, giving the runners a chance to train hard together and bond as a team. With so many returners and a group of great freshmen, Quinn is hopeful that the Aggie women will have what it takes to win by the end of the season. "It's my senior year so I want to do better than I have done before," she said. "As a team we want to win conference." The Utah State Open will be held at the American West Heritage Center in Wellsville, Utah at 9 a.m. - jordan.allred@aggiemad. usu.edu Shffarm watch 2010: Racefor the Heisman By ADAM NETTINA sports editor Who are the Heisman trophy favorites coming into 2010? Here are my preseason picks to make it to New York City for the Heisman presentation in December. RB Mark Ingram, Alabama Last year's Heisman winner, Ingram is the undisputed leader of Alabama's offense and the South Eastern Conference's premier running back. He rushed for 1,658 yards and 17 TDs for the Crimson Tide last year, and distinguished himself in match-ups against some of the best defenses in the country. It'll be tough for him to win the Heisman this year, though, as he'll likely have to split carries with up-and-coming sophomore Trent Richardson. QB Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State All free. All convenient. No hidden fees. Will the Ohio State signal caller finally live up to his billing as the next Vince Young? An athletic 'freak' at 6foot-6, 233 lbs., Pryor has uncanny speed for his size, and sports a strong arm and pinpoint accuracy as a passer. While his maturity level has been a question mark in the past, his status as the leader of the Big 10 favorites makes him a legitimate candidate to take home the Heisman. RB Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech To open your account bring your driver's license, proof of residence, and social security card. A freshman All-American in 2009, Williams stepped in valiantly for the injured Darren Evans in Blacksburg, rushing for 1,655 yards and 21 touchdowns while leading Virginia Tech to a 10-3 record. Like Ingram, Williams' biggest obstacle will be having to split carries with another star athlete in the backfield. RB John Clay, Wisconsin The Badgers are this year's dark horse to win the Big 10, and Clay is one of the prime reasons- why. A punishing runner who accounted for 1,517 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground last year, Clay will have the benefit of a veteran offensive line which comes into the year having started a combined 107 games. QB Andy Dalton, Texas Christian University cr 800.248.6361 aggie.usuccu.org Campus • Logan • Smithfield Providence • Brigham City 0) CREDIT UNION Dalton returns to Forth Worth after his best season yet, hitting on over 60 percent of his passes during TCU's 12-1 run in 2009. He's shown improvement in each of his three seasons for the Horned Frogs, and will have the benefit of returning his four top pass-catchers from a year ago. If TCU should go undefeated and make it into a BCS bowl game, Dalton will likely find himself at December's award presentation. |