By the time the San Diego State cross country team lines up for its first race of the 2001 campaign, they will have lost 10 runners from last season, including 2000 standout Kylie Edwards to injury.
Do not, however, count them out.
Retaining three of last season's top five runners and five letterwinners, the Aztec coaching staff of Rahn Sheffield and Jennifer Nanista have plenty of talent to work with.
"Even though we are viewing this season as a rebuilding year we are still going to have solid athletes," said Nanista. "We have several people who I think will step up and help carry this team."
The leaders of the young team will undoubtedly be juniors Jennifer Stakiw and Alicia Stewart. The third-year veterans have consistently remained in the top-five throughout their careers as Aztecs and both competed for third on the team last year.
"Jennifer and Alicia will be looked upon to take the reigns and lead the team," said Nanista. "They should create a healthy competition for the team's number one spot."
Stakiw had three top-20 finishes last year, including a 12th-place time of 19:18 at the Hawai'i Invitational. Stewart's highest finish of 2000 also came in Honolulu, a ninth-place time of 18:50.
With those two filling the team's top-two spaces, Nanista will look to the younger runners to step up and challenge for the other spots.
Sophomores Allison Brown and Angie Fitzpatrick return after solid off-season training.
"Angie and Allison took it upon themselves to train harder during the off season," said Nanista. "They are both very determined to rise to the next level on both a personal and team level."
Both were members of last seasons B-squad. Brown finished in the top-15 twice in 2000, a ninth-place finish (19:23.90) at the UC Riverside Invitational and 12th (20:10) at the Aztec Invite. Fitzpatrick's best time was 22:40, good for a ninth-place finish at the UCSD meet.
The 2001 team also welcomes two freshmen in Tina Fodor and Emily Joller. Both had impressive high school careers.
Even though the team's mix of experience and youth doesn't quite balance itself out, Nanista doesn't feel that will be a factor when it comes time to compete in the Mountain West Conference championships in Albuquerque, N.M., in October.
"I don't think even with losing the numbers we did, that we should fall below fifth at the conference meet," said Nanista. "We should be strong enough to at least hold our position.