Sept. 21, 2007

FAIRBANKS, AK- After a brief hiatus, the Alaska Nanooks cross country team resumes their season on Saturday, as the Blue and Gold head south to Yakima, Wash. to take on Central Washington at the Third Annual Apple Ridge Run Invitational. This marks the second straight year the Nanooks have participated in the Apple Ridge meet, which will be a five-kilometer run for women, starting at 9:30 a.m. Alaska time, and a four-mile trek for men, with the starting gun firing at 10:10 a.m.

"It was a really positive atmosphere last time we were there: it was just a beautiful setting, running out in these apple orchards in eastern Washington, where it was dry and warm," said head coach Scott Jerome. "Plus, my brother and his family live close to the meet site, so we will have a bit of a cheering section there this weekend, which is always fun."

Alaska will hope the familiar faces can lift the team to a repeat of its success at last year's Apple Ridge Run: the Nanooks won three of the meet's four events, and each of the Nanooks five women runners found a spot in the overall top ten.

Duplicating that feat may be easier said than done, as the Blue and Gold will be up against a powerful opponent in Central Washington. The Wildcats men's and women's teams have both broken into the NCAA Division II West Regional poll, with the men ranked No.10 in the region and the women sitting at No. 8.

"Central is a good team, there's no question about that," said Jerome. "It is going to be a tough race, but it's always good to see better competition. This weekend will be a good indicator of what we need to shoot for in order to improve."

There are plenty of encouraging signs for the Nanooks, however, to suggest that an upset may indeed be on the cards. Alaska's Julia Coulter is expected to return to competition after missing the team's previous two meets due to illness. Coulter, the Nanooks top finisher at this event last season, can be expected to be at the front of the Blue and Gold pack, alongside twin sister Anna.

The men have added two new weapons to their arsenal as well: freshman Zach McGill and Finnish exchange student Jani Tulppo. McGill impressed on his college debut, finishing in the team's top three in both of the Nanooks' home meets, while Tulppo placed third overall at the Ester Dome 5K trial meet on Sept. 10: his first competition with Alaska.

In addition, senior Chris Eversman returns to the Blue and Gold team after spending last year in an exchange program with the University of Southern Maine, giving the Nanooks the depth that they lacked at last season's event.

"I am anxious to see what the guys can do," said Jerome. "At time trials on Sunday, Jani and Chris ran the two fastest 3000-meter times I have seen in my four years with the program. Zach has been running well, and I know Vahur [Teppan] will also turn in a strong performance. Central is a strong team, but I am interested to see how we stack up."

Two other Washington schools, Whatcom Community College and Everett Community College, will also have participants in the Apple Ridge Run Invitational.

Following the meet, the Nanooks will then have a month layoff before they head to Nampa, Idaho for the GNAC Championships on October 20. Alaska will then conclude their season with the NCAA West Regional meet, also in Nampa, on November 3.