Men's Cross Country Set for Success in 2021

PHILADELPHIA – After the unprecedented 2020-21 spring cross country season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, head Temple men's cross country coach is optimistic about what this year's team can accomplish this fall.

"Following our first week of training, I can happily say that the guys put in the work they needed to this summer," expressed coach Snyder. "I think they're in a place right now, physically, where they have put in the work and put in the time and they are excited to see the results they have been working towards."

The Temple men's cross country team competed in just four races during the spring season as a result of the pandemic. Their second race of the year was the 2020 American Athletic Conference Championships, where the Owls finished third and were led by senior Kristian Jensen's eighth-place finish.

One of the biggest downfalls of the spring cross country season was that there were no NCAA regional meets. For the Cherry and White, that means less runners with the experience of running the longer 10K event.

"There are a lot of unknowns right now. On this roster, there's not a single athlete that has raced the 10K at a regional championship. I know we've had a wonderful summer of training and that this is a very talented group, but given the unique framework of our spring cross country season last year and not having the NCAA Regional to run the longer distance, we're going to be learning on the fly and figuring things out as the season progresses."

Despite not having more experienced runners, coach Snyder is confident that this younger squad can produce the results expected of the Temple men's cross country program.

"Our top returner from last season is going to be Christian Fitch. I expect him to have a big impact. We also have our grad student, Joe Arthur, who is probably our biggest newcomer. Joe is looking to be in pretty good shape right now and has set some pretty lofty individual goals for himself this year, and if he's able to achieve those, they will have a positive impact on our team."

Christian Fitch led last season's pack of rookies as he landed just outside of earning All-Conference honors at the AAC Championships with his 18th-place finish. Joe Arthur, on the other hand, arrives in North Philly as a more experienced runner, having raced against Europe's top runners. The Edinburgh, Scotland native was ranked eighth in the United Kingdom and 17th in Europe in the 5K.

"I think a couple of our freshmen will also be able to step in and contribute in our top five or top seven. Liem Chot, on paper, is one of the fastest freshmen we have ever brought in. Him and Graham Thomas both have achieved higher levels of success on the cross country course."

Liem Chot hails from Lincoln, Nebraska, where he was a three-time state champion and the Nebraska Boys Cross Country Gatorade Player of the Year both his junior and senior seasons. Lancaster, Pa. native Graham Thomas competed in the PIAA State Championships for three-straight seasons, including his third-place finish during his senior year to earn All-State honors. Thomas was both the Lancaster-Lebanon League Champion and the Lancaster-Lebanon League Runner of the Year his senior year.

Even though there may be some unknowns facing this younger group, the Cherry and White have an incredible amount of talent that can help this team achieve their goals so long as they work together and believe in one another.

The Owls will open the 2021 season on Friday, Sept. 3 at the Temple Invite, hosted by Temple, at Belmont Plateau. The men are set to race at 5 p.m.

Temple University Athletics

Men's Cross Country Set for Success in 2021

Players Mentioned

Joe Arthur

Liem Chot

Christian Fitch

Kristian Jensen

Graham Thomas

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