SPARTANS - aurora.eduSpartans this fall. Todd comes into the season as the Spartans’ lone college...

S P A R T A N S

Men’s & Women’sCross Country

2003

S P A R T A N S

Men’s & Women’sCross Country

2003

Getting to AU

The bottom map is an enlargement of the Aurora University area.Parking areas are shown with a circled P.

Table of Contents

Getting to AU (maps) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Inside front coverAU Quick Facts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1AU Media Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Head Coach James Kluckhohn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32003 Men’s Cross Country Prospectus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42003 Women’s Cross Country Prospectus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5Men’s Official NCAA Roster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6Women’s Official NCAA Roster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7Men’s Player Profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-10Women’s Player Profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-13AU Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14AU Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15This is AU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162003 Game Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Back cover

1AU Men’s & Women’s Cross Country

2003 Media Guide

AU Quick Facts

Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Aurora, Illinois

Founded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1893

Enrollment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .More than 4,000

Nickname . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Spartans

Colors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Royal Blue/White

National Affiliation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .NCAA III

Conference . . . . . . . . . . .Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference

President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dr. Rebecca L. Sherrick

Director of Athletics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mark Walsh

Head Cross Country Coach . . . . . . . . . . . .James Kluckhohn

Coach’s Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .First Season

Athletics Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .630-844-5110

Athletics Fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .630-844-7809

Athletic Trainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Stevie Baker-Watson

Director of Sports Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Brian Kipley

Sports Info. Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .630-844-7575

Sports Info. Fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .630-844-3826

AU Spartan Sports Hotline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .630-844-3838

Pressbox Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .630-844-7838

On the Cover:2003 Men’s & Women’s Cross Country Team

AU Men’s & Women’s Cross Country2

AU Media OutletsLocal PrintAurora Beacon-News 101 S. River, Aurora, IL 60506Bill Kindt, Sports Editor 630-844-5911Tim Wagner Fax: 630-844-1043

Kane County Chronicle 1000 Randall Rd., Geneva, IL 60134Brian Schaumburg, Sports Editor 630-232-9222

Fax: 630-232-4962

Fox Valley Labor News P.O. Box 4155, Aurora, IL 60507Carter Crane, Editor 630-897-4022

Fax: 630-892-3873

Daily Herald 3805-A Main St., St. Charles, IL 60174630-587-8623

Fax: 630-587-8639

Kendall County Publications 222 Bridge St., Yorkville, IL 60560630-533-7034

Fax: 630-533-7085

Oswego Ledger-Sentinel Box 669, Oswego, IL 60611630-554-8565

Fax: 630-554-7560

Regional PrintChicago Tribune 435 N. Michigan, Chicago, IL 60611Metro Sports 312-222-3474

Fax: 312-828-9392

Chicago Sun Times 401 N. Wabash, Chicago, IL 60611College Sports 312-321-2664

Radio/TVWKKD (1580 am, 95.9 fm) P.O. Box C-1730, Aurora, IL 60507Bill Baker, Station Manager 630-898-1580

Fax: 630-898-2355

WSPY (107.1 fm) 1 Broadcast Center, Plano, IL 60545WFXV (TV-30) 630-552-1000Greg Burks, Sports Director Fax: 630-552-9000

Comcast (ch. 4) 800 W. 5th Street, Naperville, IL 60563630-552-1000

Wire ServicesAssociated Press 230 N. Michigan, Chicago, IL 60601Sports Desk 312-781-0500

Fax: 312-781-1989

United Press International 360 N. Michigan, Chicago, IL 60601Sports Desk 312-781-1600

Fax: 312-781-1603

All requests for interviews should be made throughAl Benson, Media Relations Director, at 630-844-5150.

For other information contact Brian Kipley,Director of Sports Information, at 630-844-7575.

Media should call in advance, as seating in the press area is limited.


JAMES KLUCKHOHNHead Coach (First Season)

James Kluckhohn enters his firstseason as the head coach of AuroraUniversity’s cross country andtrack programs. He will pioneerthe new additions to AU’sintercollegiate offerings.

Kluckhohn comes to the Spartans from Chicagowhere he was the head cross country and assistanttrack and field coach at North Park University. Prior tohis three-year stay at North Park, Kluckhohn was theinterim head track and field coach at Texas LutheranUniversity, an NCAA Division III institution in Seguin,TX. Kluckhohn was an assistant in cross country forthree years and two years in track prior to becominginterim track and field coach. He also served as a crosscountry assistant at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse,where he was a part of a national championship in1996.

Kluckhohn is no stranger when it comes to startinga program from the ground up. While at TexasLutheran University, he helped as assistant to pioneerboth the women’s cross country and track and fieldprograms. Overall, the teams (cross country & track &field) finished second in the American SouthwestConference in their first season.

As a student athlete, Kluckhohn ran for theUniversity of Wisconsin – La Crosse cross country andtrack team. The seven-time University of Wisconsin –La Crosse scholar athlete was named cross countryteam captain in 1993. Kluckhohn received his BS inphysical education and his MS in human performancefrom UW-L, as well as his CSCS (Strength andConditioning) certification. He is a member of theUnited States Track Coaches Association and NationalStrength and Conditioning Association. He is married(Kari) and has one son (Jacob).

Meet the Head Coach


2003 Men’s Spartans’Prospectus

With a new look in Spartan Athletics, Head CoachJames Kluckhohn and his five freshmen runners will lookto set the tone for the future of Aurora University crosscountry. “We plan to train hard and get some collegiateracing experience built up during the season to prepare usfor the conference and regional championship meets. Wealso want to establish a good foundation in our trainingand racing habits which will lead to building a strongtradition in cross country here at AU” Kluckhohn said.

But as with any new program, growing pains can beexpected in the infancy stages of Kluckhohn’s plans forbuilding a successful, nationally recognized Division IIIcross country team. “It’s difficult to have manyexpectations with a new program, but finishing in the tophalf in the Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference, establishinggood habits, and having some fun as we go about ourbusiness will be a good start,” Kluckhohn added.

Kluckhohn will look to five freshmen to carry the loadof setting the groundwork for the building of a program.Kel Bond (Dixon HS) looks to produce good things for theSpartans coming off an impressive summer in which hecompeted at the USA Track and Field Junior Olympics inTropical Park in Miami, FL. At the competition, Bond wonthe 1500 meter run with a time of 4:03.32, was seventh inthe 2000 meter steeplechase, and placed tenth in the 800meter run. Kluckhohn spoke highly of Bond: “Kel will be agreat addition to our program, helping our team get off toa good start.”

Kluckhohn also spoke highly of his remaining fourfreshmen runners. Danny Hernandez (Aurora CentralCatholic HS), “Danny will be a good strong runner, he’sreal competitive and has some big-meet experience,” saidKluckhohn. Saul Bustamante (Aurora Central Catholic HS)and Mohamed Ahmed (Mather HS) both look to providethe program with quality racing experience. “Ahmedshould do well with the longer distances we run at thecollege level,” Kluckhohn said. Aaron Smith (KanelandHS) lacks cross country experience, but brings someathletic talent and track racing experience. With a talentedgroup looking to place their program on the map, theSpartans should look for good things to come now and inthe future.


2003 Women’s Spartans’Prospectus

Head Coach James Kluckhohn and his women’s crosscountry runners will look to set the tone for the future ofAurora University cross country. “We plan to put together ateam that will be competitive at the conference meet andshow well at the regional championship level, whilegaining valuable experience for the future of our program,”Kluckhohn said.

But as with any new program, growing pains can beexpected in the infancy stages of Kluckhohn’s plans forbuilding a successful, nationally recognized Division IIIcross country team. “It’s difficult to have manyexpectations with a new program, but being competitive inthe Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference, establishing goodhabits, and having some fun as we go about our businesswill be a good start. We don’t have the competitiveexperience that many teams have, but we do have goodathletes, a little depth, and runners that have somerecreational running experience,” Kluckhohn added.

Kluckhohn will begin the program with six runners thathope to build a strong program. Sophomore transferLyndsey Todd (Elgin CC) looks to set the tone for theSpartans this fall. Todd comes into the season as theSpartans’ lone college experienced runner. Joining her willbe freshman Elizabeth Rhodes (Aurora Central Catholic).Rhodes looks to contribute early and often and Kluckhohnis looking for good things from the talented freshmanrunner. “Elizabeth is a talented runner coming from agood high school program, and she will be a great additionto our program,” said Kluckhohn. Juniors Jesenia Gonzalez(West Aurora HS), and Cami Loving (Streator HS) wereboth current athletes on the AU campus. Gonzalez comesover from the softball team to contribute as a runner.“Jesenia ran in high school and is a talented all-aroundathlete, and Cami is a good athlete as well. I look for bothto contribute at the varsity level,” Kluckhohn said. Lovingspent two years on the Spartan volleyball squad and comesover to show off her running prowess. Kluckhohn will haveseveral other runners with limited competitive runningexperience looking to provide quality depth. FreshmenGraviela Talavera (Elgin HS) and Margarita Castellanos(East Aurora HS) have run recreational events and will lookto gain valuable experience and strengthen the Spartansrunning corps.


Name Ht. Yr. Hometown High School

Mohamed Ahmed 5'8" Fr Chicago, IL Mather

Kel Bond 6'2" Fr Dixon, IL Dixon

Saul Bustamante 5'8" Fr Aurora, IL Central Catholic

Danny Hernandez 5'5" Fr Aurora, IL Central Catholic

Aaron Smith 5'10" Fr Sugar Grove, IL Kaneland

Head Coach: James Kluckhohn

2003 Men’s OfficialNCAA Roster


Name Ht. Yr. Hometown High School

Margarita Castellanos 5'2" Fr Aurora, IL East Aurora

Jesenia Gonzalez 5'6" Jr Aurora, IL West Aurora

Cami Loving 5'4" Jr Streator, IL Streator

Elizabeth Rhodes 5'2" Fr Aurora, IL Central Catholic

Graviela Talavera 5'2" Fr Elgin, IL Elgin

Lyndsey Todd 5'4" So Elgin, IL Larkin/Elgin CC

Head Coach: James Kluckhohn

2003 Women’s OfficialNCAA Roster


Meet the Spartans

MOHAMED AHMED, 5-8, FR,Chicago, IL/Mather HSHigh School: Attended Mather HighSchool. Ran three years of varsity crosscountry and varsity track under HeadCoach Dale DeVinney…Was named MVPof both cross country and track as a

junior. Personal: Born 7/14/85 in Mogadisu, Somalia.Parents: Bedri Ahmed and Farhia Yusuf. He has onebrother, Libaan, and two sisters, Filsan and Hapoon.Hobbies include music, basketball, and running. Major:Undecided

KEL BOND, 6-2, FR, Dixon, IL/Dixon HSHigh School: Attended Dixon HighSchool. Ran four years of varsity crosscountry under Head Coach JoeNemeth…Named MVP and captain as ajunior and senior and was named All-Conference as a sophomore, junior, andsenior…Ran four years of varsity track under Head CoachRich Lawton…Named All-Conference all four years,distance captain and Mr. Versatility as a senior. Personal:Born 6/19/85 in Floydadde, TX. Parents: Lynn and PattiBond. He has two brothers, Colin and Jonathan. Hobbiesinclude playing sports. Major: Math Education

SAUL BUSTAMANTE, 5-8, FR,Aurora, IL/Aurora Central Catholic HSHigh School: Attended Aurora CentralCatholic High School. Ran four years ofvarsity cross country under Head CoachTroy Kerber…Named Most Improved as ajunior, captain and state qualifier as a

junior and senior, All-Regional as a senior, and All-City as asophomore, junior, and senior…Ran four years of varsitytrack under Coach Kerber…Named captain, MVP, All-Conference, All-State, All-Sectional and State Qualifier as asophomore, junior and senior…Played two years of varsitybasketball under Head Coach Don Holler…Named captainand received the leadership award as a senior. Personal:Born 12/1/84 in Aurora, IL. Parents: Jose and MargaritaBustamante. He has one brother, Julio, and one sister, Rosy.Hobbies include sports, paintball, outdoor fun, and hangingout with friends. Major: Physical Education

Meet the Spartans



DANNY HERNANDEZ, 5-5, FR,Aurora, IL/Aurora Central Catholic HSHigh School: Attended Aurora CentralCatholic High School. Ran four years ofvarsity cross country under Head CoachTroy Kerber…Named MVP as a senior,captain and All-City as a junior and

senior, and All-Regional as a senior…Ran four years ofvarsity track under Coach Kerber…Named captain, All-Conference, All-State, All-City as a junior and senior, andteam MVP as a senior. Personal: Born 5/10/85 in Aurora, IL.Parents: Luis and Graciela Hernandez. He has one brotherand one sister. Hobbies include playing sports, working out,reading, and listening to music. Major: Undecided

AARON SMITH, 5-10, FR,Sugar Grove, IL/Kaneland HSHigh School: Attended Kaneland HighSchool and ran three years of varsitytrack under Head Coach Ralf Drendel…Received the Bruce Peterson Award as asenior…Played two years of varsitysoccer under Head Coach Scott Parillo:Named team MVP and All-Conference as a senior. Personal:Born 6/3/85 in Aurora, IL. Parents: Charles III and JudySmith. He has one brother, Andrew. Major: Undecided

Meet the Spartans


Meet the Spartans


Meet the Spartans

MARGARITA CASTELLANOS, 5-2, FR,Aurora, IL/East Aurora HSHigh School: Attended East Aurora HighSchool. Competed in three years ofvarsity bowling and was named UpstateEight Academic All-Conference all threeseasons. Personal: Born 9/28/84 in

Aurora, IL. Parents: Adam and Luz Castellanos. She hasthree brothers, Jesus, Adan, and Ricardo. Hobbies includeshopping, listening to music, and hanging out with friends.Major: Psychology

JESENIA GONZALEZ, 5-6, JR,Aurora, IL/West Aurora HSCollege: As a Sophomore (’02): and As aFreshman ‘’01): Attended AuroraUniversity and was a member of the AUsoftball team. High School: AttendedWest Aurora High School. Ran threeyears of varsity cross country underHead Coaches Payne and Albright…She played three yearsof varsity softball under Head Coach Donna Proctor andwas named a scholar athlete. Personal: Born 2/26/83 inChicago, IL. Parents: Robert and Marin Gonzalez. She hastwo brothers, Bobby, and Michael. Major: PhysicalEducation

CAMI LOVING, 5-4, JR,Streator, IL/Streator HSCollege: As a Sophomore (’02): AttendedAurora University. College: As aFreshman (’01): Attended AuroraUniversity and was a member of the AUvolleyball team. High School: Attended

Streator High School. Played four years of varsity volleyballunder Head Coaches Nick and Sarah Swords. Personal:Born 12/10/82 in Streator, IL. Parents: Glenn and BethLoving. She has two sisters, Leara, and Casey. Major:Fitness Leadership Minor: Business


Meet the Spartans

ELIZABETH RHODES, 5-2, FR,Aurora, IL/Aurora Central CatholicHigh School: Attended Aurora CentralCatholic High School. Ran four years ofvarsity cross country under Head CoachTroy Kerber…Named team MVP juniorand senior years…Also ran four years of

varsity track under Coach Kerber…Was named All-Conference all four years, All-State as a sophomore andteam MVP and All-Sectional as a sophomore and senior.Personal: Born 5/25/85 in Geneva, IL. Parents: Craig andKim Rhodes. She has two brothers, Larry and Kyle. Major: Undecided

GRAVIELA TALAVERA, 5-2, FR, Elgin,IL/Elgin HSHigh School: Attended Elgin HighSchool. Personal: Born 7/22/85 inHoffman Estates, IL. Parents: Moisesand Alicia Talavera. She has threebrothers. She also has one cousinLiliana Reyes that attended AU.Major: Math

LYNDSEY TODD, 5-4, JR,Elgin, IL/Elgin CCCollege: As a Sophomore (’02): and As aFreshman (’01): Attended ElginCommunity College and ran crosscountry. High School: Attended LarkinHigh School and ran four years of varsity

cross country under Head Coach Melissa Staude…Was teamcaptain as a senior and also received the team sportsman-ship award…As a senior received the Larkin High Seniorsportsmanship award…Competed in two years of varsitygymnastics, was captain and received the team sportsman-ship award…Also ran one year of varsity track as a seniorcaptain and was honored with the team sportsmanshipaward. Personal: Born 10/5/82 in Hoffman Estates, IL.Parents: Robert Todd and Amy Vece. She has one brother,Robert Todd III. Hobbies include crafts, photography,family, and animals. Major: Elementary Education Minor:Psychology

AU Men’s & Women’s Cross Country

(All numbers are 630 area code)

Sport/Department Coach/Contact PhoneDirector of Athletics Mark Walsh 844-5111Athletics Business

Manager Lisa Wisniowicz 844-4574Athletic Trainer Stevie Baker-Watson 844-5114Asst. Athletic Trainer Robbi Peterson 844-6173Baseball Shaun Neitzel 844-6515Basketball, Men James Lancaster 844-5144Basketball, Women Jennifer Buckley 844-5112Cross Country & Track

Men and Women James Kluckhohn 844-4573Equipment Manager Gabriel Castillo 844-3844Football Jim Scott 844-5115Golf, Men John Donofrio 844-3855Golf, Women John Cegielski 844-3849Media Relations Al Benson 844-5150Soccer, Men Pete Watkins 844-5268Soccer, Women Kanute Drugan 844-4207Softball Mike McKenzie 844-4939Sports Information Brian Kipley 844-7575Ass’t Sports

Information Director Dave Griffin 844-7575Tennis, Men & Women Jessi Laffey 844-5152Volleyball Jerry Angle 844-5261

Other Important NumbersAdmission 844-5533Alumni Office 844-5486Physical Education Office 844-6181Public Relations 844-5481Security 844-5450Training Room 844-4891Wellness Center 844-5434

14

Dave GriffinAssistant Sports

InformationDirector

Brian KipleyDirector of Sports

Information

AU Directory


AU AdministrationDr. Rebecca L. SherrickPresidentCurrently in her fourth year asAurora University president, Dr.Sherrick is a true Spartan boosterand often attends athletic events.She earned her BA from IllinoisWesleyan and PhD fromNorthwestern University.

Dr. Andrew ManionProvostPreviously Dean of the UniversityCollege of Arts and Sciences, 1998-2000. Dr. Manion earned hisbachelor’s degree from Saint NorbertCollege and his doctorate inexperimental psychology fromAdelphi University.

Michael MoserAssistant ProvostFor Student LifeMoser assumed duties as assistantprovost in July, 2003. He has a BAfrom North Central College and aMaster of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.

Mark WalshDirector of AthleticsWalsh assumed duties as director ofathletics in 1998. He earned both hisbachelor’s and master’s degrees fromAurora University.


This is Aurora University

Eckhart HallAurora University is a private, independent, comprehensive

institution with an enrollment of more than 4,000 students. AUis accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges andSchools.

Aurora University traces its origins to the 1893 founding ofMendota Seminary. In 1985, Aurora College changed its name toAurora University to reflect the growth of curricular offerings atthe graduate level. Today the university enrolls more than 4,000students in the College of Arts, Sciences and Business; College ofEducation; and George Williams College of Health and HumanServices. More than 40 undergraduate majors are offered, and atthe advanced level, the institution offers master’s degrees inbusiness, education, recreation administration, and social work,as well as a doctoral degree in education. Through its mergerwith George Williams College, the university operates a secondcampus in Williams Bay, Wisconsin.

Aurora University is located in west Aurora, within an hour’sdrive of Chicago and at the western end of the Illinois Researchand Development Corridor. It is accessible via Interstate 88 atthe Orchard Road exit.

The University also has a campus near Lake Geneva, WI. Seton 241 acres, the Aurora University Lake Geneva campus is a sitefor summer family church camps, a respite camp for childrenwith cancer and diabetes, and a place for student gatherings,outdoor education activities, an experiential leadershipprogram, and year-round family programs. The campus alsoserves students enrolled in Aurora University’s Master of Arts inTeaching Program and hosts the annual Music by the Lakesummer festival and the Music by the Lake Academy of the Arts.

The Alumni Hall of Physical Education features aracquetball court, climbing wall, complete locker room facilities,a training room, weight room, aerobic-activities room,classroom, and coaches’ offices.

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2003 Aurora University“Spartans”

Men’s and Women’sCross Country Schedule

Date/Day Meet and Site Distance TimeSept. 5, Fr Chuck Carroll Invitational 6k W: 5:00 pm

Naperville, ILNorth Central College 8k M: 6:00 pmDuPage River Park

Sept. 20, Sa Midwest Collegiate 6k W: 12:00 pmKenosha, WIUW-Parkside 8k M: 12:45 pmCampus

Oct. 4, Sa Warrior Invitational 6k W: 11:00 amWest Allis, WIWisconsin Lutheran Coll. 8k M: 11:45 amGreenfield Park

Oct. 10, Fr Eagle Invitational 6k W: 3:30 pmLisle, ILBenedictine University 8k M: 4:15 pmCommunity Park

Oct. 17, Fr Millikin Classic 6k W: 4:15 pmForsyth, ILMillikin University 8k M: 4:45 pmHickory Point GC

Nov. 1, Sa NIIC Championships* 6k W: TBARiver Forest, ILConcordia University 8k M: TBATBA

Nov. 15, Sa NCAA Midwest Regional 6k W: TBAColfax, WIUW-Eau Claire 8k M: TBATBA

Nov. 22, Sa. NCAA Championship 6k W: TBAHanover, INHanover College 8k M: TBATBA

All home matches in BOLD CAPS*Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference match

347 S. Gladstone Ave.Aurora, IL 60506-4892(630) 844-5533 or1-800-742-5281www. aurora.edu

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Transcript of SPARTANS - aurora.eduSpartans this fall. Todd comes into the season as the Spartans’ lone college...