LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven University men’s and women’s cross country teams are set to the hit the course running into their 2008 season.

LHU head coach Aaron Russell couldn’t be happier as he is very excited about what the season could bring for both the Bald and Lady Eagles.

The Bald Eagles will be very young with three juniors and no seniors, which bodes will for the future. Over half the team is freshmen, providing a completely new look on the course.

The men’s side will be looking to improve on a third-place showing at the regional and conference championships a year ago.

Russell calls his team very motivated and says they’ve worked really hard in preparation of the new season. He certainly feels that they are ready and could surprise some people when it matters the most.

Another key for Russell is that this team is very committed to each other and he couldn’t ask for anything more heading into the fresh campaign.

Looking to lead the way for the young Bald Eagles and provide leadership will be team captains that come in the form of juniors Brandon Pomerantz (Holland, Pa./Council Rock North) and Jed Yeatts (Mercersburg, Pa./James Buchanan).

Yeatts was one of LHU’s top guys last season and will be looked upon again to be a front runner. Last season he was an All-NCAA Division II Mid-Atlantic Region performer and an All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) runner after strong outings at both championships.

Pomerantz is coming off a sensational outdoor track season in the spring, where he turned in some strong performances at 5,000 meters. He and Russell are hoping that can carry over into this fall for The Haven.

Russell is also counting heavily on a trio of sophomores, who had solid rookie outings. That trio is Nick Hilton (Reading, Pa./Exeter Township), A.J. Johnson (Coventry, R.I./Coventry) and Tim Getz (Lancaster, Pa./Lampeter-Strasbury).

Junior Chris Bell (Marysville, Pa./Susquenita) will also be in the mix.

Sophomore Justin Amy (Sweet Valley, Pa./Lake Lehman) is another runner Russell is looking for big things from on the cross country course.

Freshmen Mitch Miller (Morrisville, N.Y./Morrisville-Eaton) and Nathan Zondlo (Avoca, Pa./Pittston Area) are two that have Russell very excited.

Transfers Josh Gainer (State College, Pa./Akron Univ.) and Sean Craig (Honesdale, Pa./Honesdale) could have an immediate impact on the squad.

There are plenty of other newcomers that make this youthful team one to be reckoned with as they certainly have the talent, potential and strength to add more championship banners to the Bald Eagles already impressive collection.

The Lady Eagles are also looking for huge things this season as they too enjoyed another year of improvement in 2007.

The women’s side is also young despite having four seniors. They have no juniors and that senior leadership will be counted on to help lead this team to a successful year.

Russell has a large, talented freshman class, which he feels can make an immediate impact on the team.

The Lady Eagles took 11th at last year’s regional meet and 10th at the PSAC Championships. Russell certainly feels that they have the potential to continue to move up and feels he has a team that like the men is going to surprise some people come championship time.

Seniors Shala Simms (Upper Darby, Pa./Upper Darby) and Alyssa Douma (West Milford, N.J./West Milford) return to provide leadership.

Simms is coming off one of the most successful LHU women’s cross country seasons in years having earned both All-Region and All-Conference accolades. She was also the first individual not to make to the NCAA championship and Russell hopes that has left her hungry to go after it this season.

Douma has put in a great summer of preparation according to Russell and he is looking forward to her having a sensational senior season.

Freshman Lindsey Lambert (Howell, N.J./Howell) is a runner that Russell knows is going to make an immediate impact and will battle to be a front runner right from the start. She will contend for all-conference and all-region as a rookie.

Also returning is the trio of sophomore Jenelle Gobel (Brick, N.J./Brick Memorial), sophomore Alexis Patrick (Manahawkin, N.J./Southern Regional) and senior April Salinas (Mill Hall, Pa./Central Mountain). All will be looked upon for leadership and will contribute for The Haven women.

Sophomore Melinda Liptak (Gilbertsville, Pa./Marywood Univ.) could make an immediate impact for the women’s team.

Both teams kick off their season tomorrow at home when Lock Haven hosts the LHU Dolan Duals at Foundation Cross Country Course.