Few coaches and programs have had the success and consistency that Coach Steve Spence has had in eight seasons as the Shippensburg men’s cross country coach.

Over the last six seasons, Shippensburg has been totaled a runner-up finish in 2000 and placed third four times (2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005) at the NCAA East Regional.

The Red Raiders have also tallied 14 runner-up finishes at the PSAC Championship in the programs history to go along with last season’s third-place finish.

While finishing near the top every season is quite an accomplishment, it is also quite frustrating to Spence and the Red Raiders. And in 2006, despite having to replace two of their top three runners, the Red Raiders have a tremendous amount of young talent among its eight returnees and ten newcomers also join the roster, giving Spence a ridicously deep roster

Still, Shippensburg must replace John Somers and Dan Helfrick, who combined for 11 top-10 finishes in 2005. Somers finished fourth at the PSAC’s, second at the NCAA East Regional and then capped his career by earning All-American honors with a 21st-place finish at the NCAA Championships.

The Red Raiders do, however, return Allen Hanslovan, who has been one of the top runners in the conference throughout his first three seasons. Hanslovan was the team’s top runner in six meets last season and cracked the top 10 six times.

Behind Hanslovan, Shippensburg will count on seniors Stephen Lobianco and Greg Weiss. Both runners have big meet experience after competing in the NCAA Championships last season.

Sophomores Mike Fulton and Dillon Gracey also showed plenty of promise last season and are set to make an impact in 2006.

Transfer Nick Brousse will contribute immediately after helping Division I St. Francis (Pa.) to a Northeast Conference Championship.

Even with a young squad, don’t expect the Red Raiders to be anywhere but at the top, and quite possibly, 2006 could be the year Shippensburg captures those elusive championships.