United States Coast Guard Academy - Department of Athletics - Men's Cross Country - Mike Flint Will Lead Inexperienced Team in 2006

The 2006 season will be a rebuilding year for the Bears as head coach Steve Eldridge, in his 38th season, must replace five of his top 10 runners.

The good news is that senior Mike Flint, a two-time national qualifier, two-time All-New England runner as well as a three-time All-conference selection and defending New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference champion, is back to lead the way this season.

Flint placed 10th at the New England Championships last season to qualify for the NCAA Championships for the second straight season. He could not overcome a fall at the NCAA’s and placed 64th of 201 runners.

Senior Rob O’Donnell is back from an injury and will look to make an impact.

The Bears welcome back another pair of All-conference performers in junior Eric Laurel, who earned All-NEWMAC honors with a fourth place finish last season along with sophomore Mike Persun, who was 10th at the NEWMAC’s last season.

One thing the Bears will have to overcome will be a pair of their top runners, Jim Toomey and Steve Grey, are on the exchange program at Air Force this semester.

Junior Steve Bondira worked very hard over the summer and looks to be a factor for the Bears this season.

The Bears will need some sophomores to step up this season. The class is led by Persun and Zach Henninghausen. Other sophomores that will look to break into the top 10 will be Matt Eyler, Pat Fernandez, Mike Haas, Shea Quinn, Kyle Richter and Kevin Sorrell.

A solid freshman class led by Andres Ayure, Alex Donato, Noah Hudson, Mike Mrkvicka and Adam Stanek will look to be contributors to the success of the team this season.