Season Preview: Men’s Cross-Country looks to maintain its high level of success in 2019

By Bud Denega 

| 2019 Men's Cross Country Schedule |

ADA — The tradition has been built and the standard set for what it's expected out of Ohio Northern's men's cross-country team. Three Ohio Athletic Conference titles in the last four years and two straight NCAA Championship appearances have made the Polar Bears an exemplary program in not only the conference but regionally and nationally, as well. 

"A lot of that success is just built within the program," 11th-year head coach Jason Maus said. "The upperclassmen have learned through the years as have the guys before them. There's some traditions passed down as far as the work within and the commitment it takes to be successful in this conference and this region."

The 2019 squad will be tasked with filling some sizable shoes from a team that placed third at the OAC Championship. All-American Ian McVey and All-Great Lakes Region runner Spencer Schulze graduated, leaving a void at the top of the lineup. 

Juniors, and two-year letter winners, Jordan Green (Wooster) and Travis Sutter (Fort Recovery) will look to step up into larger roles for 2019. Sutter was a second-team All-OAC selection after finishing 16th, while Green wasn't far behind him with a 26th-place finish. 

Other returning lettermen that will look to seize a larger role include, seniors Andrew Shelton (Williamsville, N.Y./South) and Griffin Skaff (Canton, Mich./Salem), junior Sam Krabacher (Hamilton/Badin) and sophomores Caden Sauerbrey (Dresden/Tri-Valley) and Patrick Baker (Massilon/Jackson). A collection of 10 freshmen also enter the fray for the 2019 campaign. 

"You lose two of your best guys and some guys have to step up and improve," Maus said. "We are going to have some guys in new roles, and for the first time in a few years we're going to have a new No. 1. We are going to have to embrace that."

The Polar Bears open the season at the Bluffton 5k Aug. 31. ONU will compete at the Ohio Wesleyan Invitational (Sept. 14) and at the All-Ohio Championships (Sept. 28) before the Louisville Classic (Oct. 5) and Oberlin Rumble (Oct. 19).

The month of November is home to the postseason meets. The OAC Championships will take place Nov. 2 in University Heights, while the Great Lakes Regional Championships in Grand Rapids, Mich. and the NCAA Championships in Louisville will be held Nov. 16 and 23, respectively.