Eastern cross-country coach Erin Howarth said she is excited to work with her first recruiting class, a group of runners that has worked hard and will provide leadership.

Howarth is preparing for her second season as coach of the cross-country team after spending the spring coaching middle distance and distance runners for the Eastern track team.

Howarth has one recruit for the women’s team, Chelsea Sondgeroth. Howarth also will be working with four new members of the men’s team, Bruyn Yunk, Victor De La Torre, and Max Gassman.

Sondgeroth was a team captain for Dixon high school’s cross country team. Howarth said that Sondgeroth’s experience as captain shows her leadership and dedication to her teammates.

“Dixon high school has had a strong distance running tradition these past few years, finishing fourth as a team at the state cross-country championships twice in the past three years,” Howarth said. “Chelsea comes from a team and a school that takes the sport seriously and does everything possible to become the best she can be.”

Howarth said that Sondgeroth is very dedicated to training and overcoming injuries. Sondgeroth lost her junior cross-country season to injury, but Howarth is not worried.

“When she has been injured in her career, I know she takes the time to cross train by getting into the pool or getting on the bike and ensuring she maintains her fitness,” Howarth said.

Howarth thinks Sondgeroth is a great fit for Eastern’s program.

“While she was here on her visit, she seemed to fit in well with the current team members and she seemed to accept whole-heartedly the philosophy that we follow here at EIU,” Howarth said.

Howarth is looking forward to what Sondgeroth can accomplish at Eastern.

“I think she can be an excellent 10K runner as she develops her mileage base and strengthens her core so we can keep her injury free,” Howarth said. “If we can keep her training consistent for at least 18 months, there’s no telling what she can do for the Panthers.”

Sondgeroth recently competed in the IHSA Class 2A state finals at Eastern. She finished 15th in the 3,200 meter run with a time of 11 minutes and 40.39 seconds. In cross-country, Sondgeroth placed 41st in the IHSA Class 2A finals with a three-mile time of 18 minutes, 17 seconds.

Howarth is also looking forward to working with the new men’s runners, including Bruyn Yunk, who also competes in track as an 800-meter runner.

“Yunk comes from an incredibly successful program at Belvidere North high school, where his dad is the head coach. In cross-country, he has stood on the podium all four years of his high school career. They finished third in 2007, 2nd in 2008, and have been Class 2A state champs the past two years,” Howarth said.

Howarth said Yunk has had great progress as a runner in high school.

“Bruyn has developed tremendously since his freshman year,” Howarth said. “He started out in 87th place at state his freshman year, and finished 16th at state as a senior. He was also a part of the 4×800 state championship team and finished 8th in the 800-meter at state,” Howarth said.

Howarth also cited Yunk’s leadership abilities.

“As a team captain this past year, it is obvious that his teammates look up to him for his advice and leadership qualities,” Howarth said.

Mattoon native Joseph Calio will also be joining the Panthers in the fall.

“Joseph has really blossomed into a fantastic distance runner his past two years at Mattoon high school,” Howarth said. “His senior year was his true break out season; he finished third at the 2A state cross country championships in a time of 14:50, the highest individual finish of anyone in Mattoon high school history,” Howarth said.

Calio set a new record time for the mile run while at Mattoon when he won his track and field sectional with a time of four minutes and 21.44 seconds. Calio also finished 8th in the mile at the 2A state championships with a time of four minutes and 24 seconds.

Victor De La Torre is coming to Eastern by way of Lake Zurich high school. The cross-country runner helped his team to a conference, regional and sectional championship. The team finished second at the cross-country state championship, the highest team finish in Lake Zurich history, Howarth said.

“Victor had a breakout season this past year, with a 14th place finish at the Class 3A state cross country championships in a time of 14:38,” Howarth said. “This past spring, Victor placed 19th overall at the state meet,” Howarth said.

Max Gassman will join the Panthers after earning the Most Improved Individual award from Dyestat Illinois. Gassman placed 145th his junior year at the state cross country meet and finished 17th his senior year.

“Max was the 2011 Illinois Prep Top Times 1600 meter run champion after running 4:26 for the second time indoors his senior year. A stress fracture in his metatarsal kept him from running much of his senior outdoor track season, but he has cross trained and kept up his fitness and is certainly ready for a great summer of training.”

Joe Long can be reached at 581-7942 or densportsdesk@gmail.com.