Rohatinsky expected to fill Cougars' XC void

The 2004 BYU men's cross country team has known since January that there would be a need to fill a hole at the head of the team.

Enter Josh Rohatinsky.

The Provo native will be back in the mix for the Cougars this year to replace lead runner Kip Kangogo and help an experienced team reclaim the Mountain West Conference and prove itself as a top program in the nation.

Returning late in the summer of 2003 from a mission to Uruguay, Rohatinsky decided to red-shirt last year rather than risk possible injury, but he continually proved in practice that waiting was simply a precaution.

"I was just really cautious to not miss another season," he said. "My goal is to establish myself, not only in the top of the team, but at the top of the country and let everyone know who I am."

Nathan Robison, the Cougars' lone All-American from last season and a former teammate of Rohatinsky's at Provo High, said the team has thrived off of Rohatinsky's push to be the lead runner on the team.

"He's an inspiration to us," Robison said. "Last year he was just off his mission, and he was killing us all on temple runs and workouts."

Robison is one of three seniors who competed in last year's national championship race, along with Bryan Lindsay and Chad Durham. All three will likely be in the Cougars' top seven again this year as well as senior Matt Adams and junior Chandler Goodwin.

Kangogo, who transferred to TCU last January seeking a warmer area after frequent illnesses during last year's season, was the Cougars lead "stick," finishing first in the MWC tournament and earning conference Athlete of the Year award.

"When you lose that, it causes others to step forward," said head coach Ed Eyestone. "The team has meshed well together, and as a result, we'll be a much better team."

Entering his fifth year as head coach, Eyestone said a final-four NCAA finish isn't something out of the realm of expectation for this year's team.

"Coaches talk about a five-year plan, so this is the year for things to really happen," he said.

Under Eyestone's tenure, the Cougars have won four conference championships and competed in nationals every year. He said last year's second-place finish to Air Force in the MWC championships and 19th place disappointment in nationals were partly taking success for granted and partly bad luck.

"The only blip was the Mountain West Conference championship last year," he said, "When expectations are high and you finish on a downer, that taints the whole feeling overall. We are realists about the fact that we suffered a couple late-season injuries. It wasn't that we dogged it in nationals."

The Cougars are ranked first in the preseason MWC polls in front of the defending champion Falcons. Along with the BYU women's team, the men's squad will open its regular season Saturday at the BYU Autumn Classic at 10 a.m. at Orem's Cascade Golf Course.