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When first year UW-Stout men's cross country coach Matt Schauf looks at
the roster he has been handed, he sees two things - a young team and a team
loaded with potential.
Schauf, who was an assistant UW-Stout men's track coach last spring, was
the head coach for the boy's and girl's teams at nearby Boyceville High
School and begins his first year as the coach of the Blue Devils' men's
and women's cross country programs.
"This is a very young team," Schauf said, "but, I believe,
this team will show a tremendous amount of improvement. They will make huge
strides and will be part of a long process. This season can be a season
to line us up (for success) for the next several years."
The Blue Devils have two seniors, two juniors, five sophomores and a plethora
of freshmen listed on their preseason roster.
"I have spent a lot of time wondering how far this group can go,"
Schauf, who started in June with the cross country programs, said. "What
this group does this year plays an important part in the team's direction
over the next several years."
David
Schonscheck (Sr, Omro) and Jon
Golem (Oshkosh) will wrap up their Blue Devil careers this
year.
Schonscheck was the team's top runner last year and garnered the team's
most valuable runner award.
"Schonscheck has that attititude," Schauf said. "He is committed
to doing well, improving and working hard."
Schauf is expecting that Schonscheck will be pushed by Nate
Carey (So, Champlin, Minn), who really came around during the
outdoor track season. Carey had a good cross country season as a freshman,
but Carey's track season opened his eyes, Schauf said.
"Nate is our wild card," Schauf said. "I think he realized
his potential during the track season."
Golem has shown steady improvement throughout his career and excels during
the tougher races.
"He is a strength horse," Schauf said. "He has a lot of good
gears for cross country. We look for continued improvement and he should
play into our top five."
Schauf is looking for the senior leadership on this predominately underclassman
team to have an influence.
"The most important feature in their final season is the leadership
they display and put forth," Schauf said. "As far as their leadership
goes, a lot weighs in their hands."
Junior Ryan
Tellock (Oshkosh) could also be a leader for the Blue Devils.
Only in his third season as a cross country runner, Schauf has seen leadership
potential from Tellock.
Schauf liked what he saw during the track season from Joey
Merrill (So, Golden Valley, Minn) and Matt
Kennedy (Jr, Waunakee) and hope track success can translate
well to the wide open spaces of cross country.
"They both seemed to come a long way during the track season,"
Schauf said. "We hope to have them move up to the top five. We hope
their summer commitment will prove big dividends sooner rather than later."
Other returners include Josh
Schmidt (So, Elkhart Lake), Jordan
Scholzen (So, Arpin) and Justin
Verhulst (So, Fennimore).
Schauf is excited about the incoming freshman class and would like to see
them work into a team that already has a strong camaraderie.
Some of the early prospects include Peter Johnston (Fr, Madison),
Clint Loker (Fr, Sussex), Sam Rabideau (Fr, Green Bay), David Smith (Fr,
Superior), Cameron Stark (Fr, Reeseville), Austin Thorson (Fr, Appleton),
Mike Burke (Fr, Beloit) and Josh Norton (Fr, Green Lake).
Schauf will be assisted by Brett Heimstead, who worked with the program
last season as an assistant after a four year cross country and track career,
and Laura Verdegan, a former track All-American who has coached cross country
the last two seasons.