He has to replace five of the top seven runners from last year's squad. The team consists of one senior, one junior, five sophomores, and seven freshmen. Even though he will have a very young team, Ceronie is optimistic about this season.

This year's cross country team is young, one of the youngest we have ever had, says Ceronie. Just because we are young, however, doesn't mean that we can't be successful.

Leading the way is junior Megan Stanley, who finished 41st at the conference meet last fall, and senior Audrey Wright, who placed 67th at the MAC meet.

Our success in cross country will be contingent on how the upper-class athletes integrate the freshman into our system, and how much they are willing to sacrifice for each other.

The freshman class, which Ceronie says is the most talented group he has ever recruited, has produced three state champions, while two others were runners-up.

Kristen Fryburg placed fourth in the Ohio State high school cross country championships and was the state champion in track in the two-mile.

Briana Shook also had a stellar high school campaign as she was the state champion in the one-mile and two-mile, and also was the state champion in cross country.

Joining Fryburg and Shook is two-time state champion Kylee Studer, Becca Vianello, who was second in the state in track and was named the Cincinnati Enquirer Cross Country Runner of the Year, and Katie Steffen, who placed ninth in the Illinois state cross country meet.

Miami's track and field team closed the year with a No. 24 national ranking in the United States Track Coaches Association Indoor Power Rankings for overall team strength. They also ended the outdoor season ranked No. 25. This year, Ceronie hopes the team picks up right where they left off.

We hope to be able to overcome the departures of last year and maintain the success we have had, says Ceronie. Anchoring the squad is senior standout Meghan Gilhooly, who was an NCAA provisional qualifier in the high jump and who was ranked every year in the top 25 in that event. She was the MAC champion her freshman year, while finishing third her sophomore and junior years. Meghan holds the Miami record for the high jump (5' 10 ).

Meghan is great for our team, says Ceronie. Her success in the past will help our team focus on achieving everyone's goals this year.

Carrie Mitchell is back for another year following a solid year as she was the MAC Champion in the triple jump. She holds the Miami record for outdoor long jump (18' 11 ) and indoor triple jump (40' 7 ).

Also leading the way are Jolyn Darby and Leslie Smith. Darby anchors the 4 x 100 relay team that set a Miami record last year, while Smith ran the third leg of that same relay team.

Sharon Poisson, who picked up the pole vault for the first time last year, returns after narrowly missing placing at the MAC championships.

Maeghan Ramser, who was the third leading scorer last year, and Megan Stanley, who ranked in the top eight in the 1500 meters, also adds experience to Ceronie's team.

Erica Barnett, Indiana state 400 meter champion, Kate Christoff, Ohio state 100 hurdles champion, and Erika Harper, who was a part of two state champion relay teams, provide Ceronie with bright spots in the freshman class.

Freshmen Sara Edwards, Jolien Jakubick, and Rachel Tomczak will also provide a spark for the team this year.

If Coach Ceronie is able to use the veterans and incorporate the new faces, Miami will once again have a memorable season.