LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - The Lock Haven University men’s and women’s cross country teams are both looking for big things as they get set to run into their 2007 season.

The men, who are ranked 18th nationally headed into the season are looking for their fourth consecutive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championship and have won three out of the last four NCAA Division II East Region Championships.

Despite losing some very talented runners from 2006, the Bald Eagles currently look more than capable of defending their championships and keep the tradition going as the current roster is loaded with talent, depth and toughness.

“This team has a lot to prove, but the talent is there,” said LHU men’s and women’s head cross country coach Aaron Russell, who knows this team is motivated and ready to defend their titles.

One of the Bald Eagles mains strengths will come in the form of their solid returning core. That core will be quite important has this Bald Eagle team is filled with a number of talented newcomers.

Several key harriers return with plenty of big-meet experience including seniors Shawn Moore (Elverson, Pa./Twin Valley) and Cory Spidell (Home, Pa./Marion Center), who both earned All-PSAC and All-Region honors last year.

Moore and Spidell along with fellow classmate Preston Jaquish (Mansfield, Pa./Mansfield) are captains for this year’s squad.

Spidell, a track and field All-American will look to take his success from the track to the cross country course and Russell feels he is more than capable of doing so. Spidell is somebody who can really turn it on toward the end of the season according to Russell.

Moore has been to three national championships and that experience should help him and his teammates throughout the season. Russell calls Moore steady and consistent and that should help benefit this young Bald Eagle squad.

Jaquish returns after a year off and is extremely focused on leading this team and making his mark on the course.

A trio of sophomores could play a vital role in this year’s success including track and field All-American Brandon Pomertantz (Holland, Pa./Council Rock North), Chris Bell (Marysville, Pa./Susquenita) and Jed Yeatts (Mercersburg, Pa./James Buchanan).

Pomertantz, who is a tough runner according to Russell earned All-PSAC and All-Region honors last season and will look to do exactly the same this year.

Yeatts adds depth and experience after competing at the NCAA championships last season. He understands what he has to do to help the team according to Russell.

Bell could really surprise some people this season as his training has gone exceptionally well. He continues to get better and better in practice and training and that should make him a better racer, says Russell.

Plenty of fresh faces will dot the Bald Eagles roster as they welcome a very talented group of nine newcomers, all of whom will looking to make their mark on the course.

Russell calls this group one of the team’s biggest strengths because they are confident and want to do whatever they can to help the team.

The freshmen include Andrew “A.J.” Johnson (Coventry, R.I./Coventry), Nick Hilton (Reading, Pa./Exeter), Justin Amy (Sweet Valley, Pa./Lake-Lehman), Tim Getz (Lancaster, Pa./Lampeter-Strasburg), Josh Trego (Morgantown, Pa./Twin Valley), Kyle Harvey (Shinglehouse, Pa./Oswayo Valley), Brian Jensen (Englishtown, N.J./Red Bank Catholic), Alden Sims (Venus, Pa./Cranberry) and Kyle Pepson (Jermyn, Pa./Lakeland).

Every one of the newcomers will look make their mark this upcoming season as each is very talented.

Russell feels that this team should certainly be considered a contender.

Last year the women’s team finished sixth at the PSAC Championships which was three-sport improvement from 2005 before going on to take seventh at the East Region Championships.

Russell has really been impressed in how well this Lady Eagles squad has come together as they get ready to kick off their 2007 season.

Russell says this team has a great team bond and is excited to challenge this season. The Lady Eagles certainly have the talent to take another step forward this year and they are focused on doing just that.

Returning to lead the Haven is sophomore Lindsey Scheller (Sunbury, Pa./Shiellany), who was an All-PSAC performer last year after her 15th place finish at the conference meet. Russell is looking for big things from her this year and says she has set high goals for herself heading into the fresh season.

Also returning with plenty of talent and experience is junior Shala Simms (Upper Darby, P.a/Upper Darby) who is the captain of this year’s team. Simms, who has had plenty of success on track, is in the best cross country shape of her life heading into the new season, according to Russell.

Russell looks for her to really go after it this year and get job done saying “She’s not just all talk,” as she looks to back up her vocal leadership.

Juniors Katiera Carey (Montoursville, Pa./Montoursville) and Alyssa Douma (West Milford) both return to help lead this Lady Eagles team.

Carey, who is in her third season seems to be enjoying herself much more on the course and has new fire in her eyes which should be a benefit for her, says Russell.

Douma is coming of a strong track campaign and will look to move that success into the cross country as her confidence continues to go.

Juniors April Salinas (Mill Hall, Pa./Central Mountain) and Masha Proshutina (Dunmore, Pa./PSU-Scranton) also add depth to the women’s side with their experience and talent.

Salinas understands what she has to do this year and had the tools to do it while Proshutina’s solid training has set her up for big things.

Sophomore Theresa Gould (Hatboro, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) is a gamer and comes on very strong late in the season, but Russell looks for her to be a much more consistent racer this year.

Sophomore Danielle Burkhart (Windber, Pa./Greater Johnstown) will join the Lady Eagles for her first year of college cross country after running track last year.

The newcomers include Erika Meling (Long Valley, N.J./West Morris Central), Leah Heald (Prospect Park, Pa./Interboro), Jenelle Gobel (Brick, N.J./Brick Memorial) and Alexis Patrick (Manahawkin, N.J./Southern Regional).

Russell feels Gobel and Meling could make an immediate impact on the women’s side.

Heald and Patrick also add tremendous talent as rookies and should both be in the mix.

The women’s team certainly has the potential to continue the progression forward.

Both LHU men’s and women’s cross country teams are in action this evening as they host Penn State University in a dual-meet which starts at 6:30 p.m.