IRVINE, Calif. - UC Irvine men's cross country is eager to see what they can accomplish this season. With 11 returners, every member of the 2022 roster now has at least one year of collegiate experience under their belts. That experience, coupled with a summer of training at altitude, has them poised to move up both the Big West and regional rankings.
 
The season will get underway on home turf as UCI hosts the second annual Anteater Opener at the ARC Fields on Sept. 1. With about two weeks until the first meet of the year, here are a few things to look out for in 2022.
 
 
YOUTHFUL EXPERIENCE
UC Irvine's 2022 roster is comprised of 11 returners. Among that group are nine sophomores, one junior and one senior. Although still young with a majority of the team entering their second year of eligibility, the group gained invaluable experience in 2021. As true freshmen, Joshua Schuld and Zeid Hussain, both local products out of Beckman High School, were consistently among UCI's top-three. Schuld led the 'Eaters in three of his five races, including in his first career 10K at the NCAA West Regional. Sophomore Lukas Amare was also UC Irvine's No. 1 runner at last year's Anteater Opener and Big West Championships. Overall, it is a collective unit that should show depth and strength in numbers.
 
"Last year, within our top-seven, all but one were freshmen eligibility-wise," said UCI distance coach Casey Kear. "There is a learning curve jumping from the high school distances of 5K and 3 miles to the 8K and 10K. Now we have a group that has a little experience running the collegiate distances so it's going to be really exciting to see what they can do as sophomores. They understand what college cross country is about and are ready to climb the Big West rankings."
 
MAKING STRIDES
The Anteaters' youth showed last year as they came in eighth place at the Big West Championships. Disappointed with their finish, the student-athletes realized a change was needed, so they took the initiative to dedicate themselves to an off-season altitude camp in Flagstaff, Arizona, on their own. They ran some of their highest mileage weeks of their careers and got in some of the best training they've ever had.
 
"It was no secret, we were disappointed with where that group finished last fall," Kear stated. "They realized they ultimately needed to go out there and get better, and they figured (altitude camp) was one of the best ways they could do that this summer. It's exciting to see the culture shift from where it was a handful of years ago when I started to where that group now has really matured and developed."
 
STAYING PATIENT
The 'Eaters also know that patience will be key to their success. It is still a young group, and even with the experience gained last year along with the high-level off-season training, there is much more room for growth as they strive to improve at both the conference and regional levels.
 
"Distance running specifically is a developmental area where the improvements aren't necessarily seen over one training block or even one season," Kear added. "We want them to understand the bigger picture of this sport and what we are trying to do over their careers here at UC Irvine."
 
STARTING LINE
For the second year in a row, UC Irvine will kick off the season by hosting the Anteater Opener (Sept. 1). The meet will feature four teams competing in the 6K at the ARC Fields on campus. The 'Eaters will then head to the Inland Empire for their sixth consecutive appearance in the UC Riverside Invitational before making their way to Santa Clara for the Bronco Invitational. UCI will also take part in the Titan Invitational prior to the Big West Championships, which return to Riverside on Oct. 29. The NCAA West Regional is then slated for Nov. 11 in Seattle.
 
"We love being able to be on campus for our first meet of the year, and hopefully that is a tradition we can continue," Kear said. "It's a small meet and kind of low key, but it's a great way to kick off our cross country season before we get into some of the bigger competitions."