Rocklin, Calif. - The William Jessup University men's cross country team is driving for a three-peat in 2013. Coming off their second straight CALPAC championship, the Warriors make their 2013 debut Saturday morning at the Fresno State Invitational.

Under fifth-year head coach Parker Daniells, the Warriors return four of their top six guys from a year ago. Senior Wayne Smith, 2012 All-conference, led the Warriors to the championship last season with a third place finish at the California Pacific Conference Championships with a time of 27:54.  Wayne Smith led the Warriors with a time of 27:13 at the NAIA National Championships, which placed him 152^nd out of 309 runners.  Sophomore Michael Basuini will look to build on a great freshman season in which he earned all-conference honors by finishing fifth in the Cal Pac Championships with a time of 27:59. Basuini finished 169^th with a time of 27:34 in his first NAIA National Championship meet.  Fellow sophomore Christian Wichmann will look to step up after a strong finish in the conference championship with a time of 29:30.  Rocklin native David Cummings, who finished right behind Wichmann with a time of 29:55, will look to have big senior year.  Fellow senior Bentley Nunes will also look to peak in his final season with the Warriors.  A trio of freshman and transfer Jonathan Hernandez add depth to a solid team and will look to make an immediate impact. 

Coach Parker Daniels looks forward to watching this veteran group both on and off the course.

 "We have a strong group of returners who will help the newcomers continue to push themselves to get to the level they need to be at," stated Coach Daniells.  "The guys are willing to work hard and give the best they can because they have a strong drive to succeed. I can see growth in our team already, not just through their stamina but in their leadership."

The Warriors will get to preview the Cal Pac Championship course at Woodward Park this Saturday.