The Georgetown cross country team has had great success in recent years and looks to continue the tradition as the 2004 season gets underway.

On the men’s side, the Hoyas return their top two cross country runners from last season, junior Chris Lukezic and senior Rod Koborsi. Five other candidates will have to step up to fill the remaining varsity positions.

“It’s great to have these two return, but among the other runners five kids will come out and fill those spots to run at the NCAA meet eventually in November,” Ron Helmer, director of track and field and cross country, said.

Lukezic is fresh off his fourth-place finish at the U.S. Olympic Trials in July where he showed a great deal of improvement.

“Of course the overall goal would be to improve upon our finish last year, and with the right performance we could get up into the top five,” Helmer said.

The addition of many new faces to the Hoya squad has the potential to lift the team’s level of success. Junior transfer Stephen Meinelt debuts for the Hoyas this season and freshmen such as Michael Banks and Daniel Nunn both show promise as well.

“Meinelt could help us right away in this season, while many of the freshmen still have to make the adjustment to the collegiate distance of 10,000m,” Helmer said.

On the women’s side, the season goal is to avenge the team’s 16th-place finish at last year’s NCAA meet. Previous to that finish, the team had 15 consecutive top-10 finishes.

This year they are focused and prepared to climb back into the top 10. Senior Nicole Lee leads the team coming off an impressive track season last year. Sophomore Liz Maloy, who battled injuries last year, is healthy and should make an impact this year.

“Liz is a talented girl. Now that she’s healthy, we’re going to need her to take on a leadership role on the team,” Helmer said.

Others, including junior Sabine Knothe and seniors Kelly Otsott and Jodee Adams-Moore, are key contenders for the seven varsity positions. The addition of many freshmen such as Melissa Greilli and Maggie Infeld also adds fresh talent to the squad.

“We have a group of 14 very talented girls,” Helmer said. “A few of them will step up and make their mark.”

Georgetown kicks off the cross country season at the Great eadows Invitational at The Plains, Va. , on Sept. 11.