THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Next up, is the California Lutheran University women's cross country team, which is ready to get back on the course after not being able to compete in 2020.
The 2021 team consists of six student-athletes, with most getting their first collegiate experience. The team is featured by lone senior, Veronica Redpath, and has two sophomores and three freshmen.
The Regals start the season on Sept. 4 as they head to Brea, Calif., to compete in the Mark Covert Classic at Carbon Canyon Regional Park.
We talked with new Head Coach Brett Halvaks to get his thoughts on the upcoming season.
What is your outlook going into the 2021 season? I have a great outlook for the Regals 2021 Cross Country season. Having not had the opportunity to compete in the Fall of 2020, I am very much looking forward to coaching the Regals and watching them compete this season. We have a relatively young team this season so I am excited to see how the team develops throughout the season with our focus being on performing our best at the end of the season at the SCIAC Championships and the NCAA West Regionals.
What can you tell us about your schedule? Any specific races to look out for? The Regals will be competing in six cross country meets during the Fall 2021 season. The first four meets will be Invitationals where we will have the opportunity to compete against not only other SCIAC schools but also schools from other Divisions in the NCAA, schools from the NAIA and from the Community College level. Our two main races of the season will be our last two, SCIAC Champs and NCAA West Regionals, we will be focused on having our best performances at these two meets. The way the schedule falls this season, the SCIAC Champs and NCAA West Regionals are running on the same course (we are also running one of our four Invitationals on that course) so we will have the advantage of being fairly familiar with the course.
Your roster has one familiar face in Redpath, but for the most part, the team is pretty new? Can you share your thoughts on the team? Veronica is our team captain and will be our senior leader this season. I know she will do an excellent job leading our relatively new and younger team (three freshmen and 1 sophomore). I am very excited to see how our younger student athletes adapt to collegiate training and racing (the Women's distance is 6K at College while typically 3 mile or 5K at the HS level) throughout the season. It is my goal that I am able to make a smooth transition for them and have them racing their best at the end of the season.
How much excitement does the team have for the 2021 season? The Regals and I are very excited for the 2021 Cross Country season. No one has had the opportunity to compete in a race for Cal Lutheran Cross Country since November 2019 so everyone is ready to get back out there and compete. The team reports to campus on Monday August 23rd and we are all very excited to be back training together in preparation for the 2021 Cross Country Season.
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Release by Ryan Jorgenson, Sports Information Director
