Aug. 13, 2008 - The Fontbonne University men's and women's cross country teams are anxiously anticipating the start of their 2008 season with hopes of building on last year's success. In 2007, the women's team finished recorded in its best finish in school history by placing second in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conferece (SLIAC) meet. The men's team finished third last year in the SLIAC meet but got constitently good performance from newcomers Everett Jackson and Zach Kassman.

The 2008 women's team will be led by sophomore Rachel Hanson. Hanson recorded the best individual season in school history last year by becoming the first Griffin to win the SLIAC championship earning her SLIAC Runner of the Year, Newcomer of the Year and First-Team All-Conference honors. In addition to Hanson, the Griffins return sophomores Julian Wohlshlager, Callie Collier, Sarah Wohlshlager, Kay Hart, Tricia Morris, and juniors Kelly Schumacher, Marcey Cox and Monica Engelbracht. Collier finished in 16th place at the SLIAC meet last year while the Wohlshlager twins rans personal records at the meet.  Engelbracht and Schumacher are both two-year letter winners. Head Coach Dave Almany has added a pair of freshman and a transfer to round on this year's team. Freshmen Alana Yokley (Maplewood H.S.) and Kaitlin Titsworth (Mater Dei H.S.), and Danville Community College transfer Daccarra Bolton hope to provide immediate results for the Griffins.

The 2008 men's team will be led by  sophomores Jackson and Kassman. Jackson finished last year as the SLIAC Newcomer of the Year and earned First-Team All-Conference honors. He finished fourth in the SLIAC meet. Kassman finished seventh in the conference meet last year and earned Second-Team All-Conference honors. Head Coach Dave Almany has recruited an outstanding freshman class to add to these proven runners. Almany expects a trio of freshman Mike Horn (Vianney), Ian Lindquist  (St. Mary's) and Bill Boxdorfer (St. Mary's) to have an immediate impact on his program. Horn and Lindquist were both large school state meet qualifiers during their senior year. Horn was selected last spring for the prestigious St. Louis Post-Dispatch SCholar Athlete Award. Coach Almany has also added crucial recruit Todd Schulte (Borgia H.S.). Schulte is a well-decorated runner and a member of a state championship team.

Coach Almany is back for his third season as the Griffins head coach and he will be assisted by Tom Winkleman. Both programs open their season on Saturday, August 30 at the Washington University Early Bird Meet held at Forest Park.