Cross country team fights for ranking

Glancing at intense athletes poised on the starting line, it might be surprising to learn the members on the men's cross country team describe themselves as having a lighthearted sense of humor.\n"The biggest thing for us right now is going out and beating people," sophomore Chris Powers said. "Anybody that's in front of us is taking something away from us." \nThis weekend's fifth-place finish at the Notre Dame Invitational intensified the team's competitive drive. \nDefeating two top-25 teams and finishing 10 points behind No. 8 North Carolina State proved to the young team that no one can take its goals away.\nWith four sophomores among the team's top five times, the team has excelled despite its inexperience. \nPowers said he sees the age structure of the team as an advantage. The more experienced runners provide a framework of support for the team's newer members. \n"We have four seniors on the team that have worked really hard: Tom Brooks, Chris Ekman, Dan Billish and Aaron Gillen," Powers said. "We want to take those guys to nationals. This is their last chance, and we've learned so much from them. We want to carry them along and work together with them."\nGillen has been the team's No. 1 runner this season, but the other three seniors who run in the top nine have also provided strong guidance for the younger runners. In turn, the younger runners have revived the team.\n"The reputation of IU running has been that they don't really go out and compete as well, but I think we're changing that now," Powers said. "We can go out and run with anybody."\nWith the goal of going to the NCAA meet, the unranked team has to prove its worth. In the next few weeks, the Hoosiers will encounter ranked teams at the Pre-NCAA Invitational and the Big Ten Championship.\n"We need to beat as many ranked teams as possible," sophomore Chad Andrews said. "We also need to get wins over ranked teams and teams in other divisions."\nBillish said he is excited about the upcoming meets. He said one of the team's main goals is to win the Big Ten, and the depth of the team is essential for a win.\n"We have 26 guys on the team, and a focus group of 14," Billish said. "That's the first time in a long time we've had replacements."\nWith all of its goals in place, the team counts on its physical ability and hunger for racing to carry it to the NCAA Nationals.\n"We're finally figuring out what it's like to compete and go out and beat people," Powers said. "Before we were running a smart tactical race, but right now we're Indiana University. We're going out to compete with anybody"