Tunnel Vision: Terriers Look To Block Out NEC Projections

Back from a visit with his men's team after a Van Cortlandt Park practice, St. Francis Brooklyn cross country head coach Christopher Mills sits at his desk facing his MacBook Desktop; his right hand on the mouse, and his left holding a bottle of half-filled water.
 
On his screen is the press release for the men's cross country preseason Northeast Conference poll, which placed the Terriers in eighth – last in the conference – as voted on by the leagues' coaches. Moments ago he was looking over the women's preseason poll – which also had the Terriers in last – but ranking 10 out of 10.
 
"Truth be told, I don't pay much stock into the preseason poll because it says where we might finish," he says in between short sips, shrugging his shoulders, appearing unbothered by the ranking, although his peers select it.
 
Although the ranking could serve as an accurate representation for what's to come for some teams – last season Central Connecticut State captured their ninth consecutive men's title after sitting atop the preseason poll – the Terriers don't see their fate aligning with the prognostications of the conference.
 
"We didn't put much into it, but we did talk about it. Jason Cousineau is actually really upset with where we placed, though," offered sophomore Zach Faljean, a co-captain on the men's squad, with a slight chuckle. "He's hoping we come in fourth. That's going to be a big stretch but it's definitely doable with the guys we have coming in this year and the guys we've already had on the team."
 
This season, which begins on September 1 at 10:30 a.m. at Stony Brook University, the Terriers will enter with the biggest cross country roster in school history, which will carry 24 athletes between the men and women, and will add around an additional 40 during track and field, marking a program record.
 
In what will be Mills' third season at the helm, he says the active recruiting – specifically for cross country – was a necessity due to the number of key Terriers lost to graduation, such as former All-Conference runner Annais Cummiskey, as well as J'Renda Rivera.
 
Because of the new roster, coach Mills felt the need to start the off-season program sooner than in the past.
 
"I got the ball rolling earlier with them with their preseason workouts," said Mills. "I sent them up to The Running School just because I wanted them to get a step-up."
 
"I want to see everybody run their best and I think we can," added women's co-captain Aaliyah Williams, one of two seniors on the roster this cross country season. "I think everyone can place at good positions. Our top-five should be under 22 minutes. I think it's possible with the training."
 
To this point, coach Mills see's a heightened level of desire within his group, and the early returns suggest – in his mind – that the training and philosophies have carried over smoothly this season.
 
Of his two squads, he offers an in-depth look at what Terrier fans are to expect.
 
"Zach had a great week of training at The Running School. He learned a lot up there and that was good for him," said Mills. "I expect him to have a great cross country season. I expect Jason (Cousineau) to have a great cross country season, and (Orville Dixon Jr.) too. The team is going to go off of those three. (Pratheip Gugendiran) is redshirting but he's still going to be around so at least I'll have his influence.
 
 "On the women's side it's going to be tough," he adds. "When you lose runners like Annais and J'Renda to graduation, you can't replace them off the street. We have a lot of work to do but I think they can climb that mountain; it's just going to take time. I'll be happy if we all run personal bests, because that'll show progression. (Noelle Weyer) is back, healthy and in better shape than she was last year. Another person flying under the radar is Leah Rivers, a transfer from St. John's. Even (Diondra Bryant) came in with a better mindset. It's less, 'I can't' and more of, 'How much more do you want me to do, coach?'"
 
And for his final thought on the preseason polls, the plan is to use the last place projection as a rallying cry. A challenge for the Terriers to step up to.
 
"Am I using this as motivation? Yes, I am. We can shock people," said Mills.