Clarke University cross country coach Adam Hinders enters his third season at the helm in 2010, hoping to build upon the foundation laid the past two seasons.

"I feel very confident that both the men's and women's cross country teams will have an outstanding year," Hinders said. "Both teams have been working hard all summer to be ready to start the season, and are excited to compete in the National Catholic Invitational at the University of Notre Dame, Sept. 17."

The men's squad returns key runners in sophomore Jon Schoening (Glenwood, Iowa), junior Daniel McNamara (Dubuque) and junior Rob Sheehan (Antioch, Ill.). The trio must pick up the slack for departed 2009 most valuable runner Nate Smith.

2010 Newcomers include freshmen Josh Bellows (Palm Springs, Calif.), Zachery Molid (Kissimmee, Fla.) and Nicholas Rhinehart (Adams, Wis.) and junior Andrew Quam (Platteville, Wis.), who has been a member of the Clarke golf team the last two years.

The women return their 2009 most valuable runner in senior Carley Freund (Crystal Lake, Ill.). Freund was Clarke's top finisher at the MCC meet in Oskaloosa. Senior Jessi Crain (Waukesha, Wis.) and juniors Ashley Thibadeau (Dubuque) and Amber Englehardt (Elkader, Iowa) also return. Thibadeau was Clarke's second best finisher at the MCC meet.

The Crusaders welcome junior Hannah Day (Rockford, Ill.) and freshmen Grace Gordon (St. Charles, Ill.), Courtney Klein (Dubuque), and Carrie Pieper (Adel, Iowa) in for 2010.

Both Clarke cross country teams start their season Sept. 4 with the Mount Mercy Gallop at Jones Park in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.