With mileage, speed and seniority to their advantage, the men's team is poised for another successful outdoor season. The team's outlook is extremely positive, since all of the key members of last year's team are returning. The old team will be joined by previously injured members as well as first-years who are expected to substantially help the team. The team consists of "a lot of guys [who] are coming back [and] some talented younger people," said tri-captain Pat Hayes '03.

The individual team members all have positive attitudes about the forthcoming season. "Everyone is really motivated and excited about outdoor track this year. We ended the season with many best times while training through[out]," said John Stanton-Geddes '04. The team's spring break trip boosted morale as well as speed.

Several returning members are expected to run great times. Stanton-Geddes should run laps around the competition in the distance events. Jack Morgan '05, Dave Molina '05 and Andrew Schneider '04 can take charge in the middle distance events. Janak Chandrasoma '04 will sprint to the finish line in the 200- and 400-meter events, and Mike Page '05 will race in the steeplechase. Nathaniel Mahlberg '05 will clear the hurdles. "Mahlberg is going to have a breakout season," Hayes predicted.

Hayes commented on the team's prospects. "We had a good end of the [indoor] season, with good performances from a lot of younger people on the team," he said.

The team expects impressive performances from several freshmen. Ngai Otieno '06 ran well in the indoor sprints and will continue to run the sprints in outdoor track. Twin first-years James and Julian Seltzer will join Otieno in the sprints. Julian Seltzer is looking forward to the season, especially the relays. He said, "I think we're going to have a good 4 x 100-meter team."

Fraser Kitchell '06 will run the 1500-meter and the steeplechase, while fellow first-year Dave Schreiner will run distance. Sophomore transfer student Bradley Backus will compete in the throwing events. "We haven't been as strong in the throwing events in the years past, but now we have several new throwers that should be able to contribute to the team," Hayes said.

Expectations within the team are high. "We're looking to have our season peak at NESCACs, and we've got some potential to put some people into nationals this year," said Stanton-Geddes.

Head Coach Erik Nedeau also has confidence in the team. "We should be strong in nearly every event this year, so it will be nice to have all around depth that we have not had in the past. I think that we will be very strong in the sprints and relay and individually and the middle/long distance events," he said.

The season opener is an invitational this Saturday at Connecticut College.