Derek Meiring hopes to lead his team to new heights in 2003.

LAKE FOREST, IL - The 2002 season was by far the best in the eight-year existence of the men's cross country program. The Foresters had their highest-ever finish at the Midwest Conference Championship Meet and posted nine of the 25 fastest times in team history.

As a freshman, Meiring was the team's top runner, posted Lake Forest's fastest-ever 8-kilometer race, and narrowly missed being the first Forester freshman to earn all-conference honors.

Joining Meiring in leading the 2003 squad will be Logan Dick, who posted the program's 28th-fastest time at the MWC meet and could also challenge for an all-conference spot next year. In addition, Will Pittinos showed tremendous improvement in his freshman season and will be a solid contributor in 2003.

Head coach Tina McDonie is excited about having the cornerstones already in place for the next few years. "With the addition of a few more talented runners to push Derek and his teammates," she begins, "we will be in the position to challenge the best programs in the conference."