Sept. 28, 2016
By Drew Harris | UTAMavs.com
ARLINGTON, Texas -- One was born to run, while the other stumbled into a love for running. Together, senior Craig Lautenslager and junior Michael Guerrero have helped lead the UT Arlington cross country program down a previously unchartered path.
Lautenslager, along with his two talented younger brothers, come from a running family. His father, Greg, competed in four U.S. Olympic Trials in distance events before retiring in 1992. His mother, the former Debra Elsmore, won New Zealand titles in the 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters and represented her country in five World Cross Country Championships and the 1987 Commonwealth Games.
His father, who serves as the Coach/Director of the National Academy of Distance Running in New Zealand, has even authored a novel about a runner entitled "Following the Flame".
"It's just part of our daily lives," Lautenslager said. "It may be off-putting for some, but for me it just made me love the sport more. When I realized that's where my talent lied, I decided to become a runner like my mother and father."
On the other foot, Guerrero found his passion for running by accident as an eighth grader. He initially went out for junior high school cross country merely as a way to condition for the upcoming basketball season.
However, it didn't take long to discover his talent, and just a year later, Guerrero officially hung up his high-top sneakers in exchange for racing flats and cross country spikes. The La Joya, Texas, product went on to become the District 30-5A cross country champion and a sixth-place finisher at the state meet his senior year.
"I was actually good at it," Guerrero said. "I went out and my first meet I finished in the top five."
Good is an understatement. The two runners have been key cogs in the distance and cross country programs under UTA coach John Sauerhage. Dating back to 2012, when Lautenslager stepped on campus, the Mavericks have won three conference cross country titles in four years.
The distance crew has figured in mightily to the track and field team's recent indoor and outdoor league titles as well, and their names are littered across UTA's record books. Lautenslager owns the school record in the indoor 5,000 meters (14:07.30) and outdoor 5,000 meters (14:17.74). Meanwhile, Guerrero is the 10,000-meter record holder (29:52.45).
"They set the bar so high for the rest of the team because of their dedication," Sauerhage said. "They help lead the way, not only with results, but their commitment has rubbed off on the rest of the team. It makes my job so much easier."
This year, the cross country squad has high expectations to compete at not only the conference level, but the regional level as well. The Mavericks are fifth in the latest South Central Region rankings, just two spots below the school's all-time best regional ranking.
"At regionals we will be looking for our best finish ever," Lautenslager said. "We're all working for that."
UTA boasts a deep roster of talented runners, highlighted by its "Dynamic Duo," who combined to bring home back-to-back Sun Belt Conference Runner of the Week awards for the unanimous league favorites.
Just two races into the season, Guerrero owns a victory at the season-opening Gerald Richey Invitational and a runner-up finish at the Ken Garland Invitational. It's a great start for the junior, who missed last year's conference championships due to injury but went to support his teammates, who pulled out a heroic victory.
"Mike is very talented, but the reason he has been so good is that he is very self-motivated and determined to be an excellent runner," Sauerhage said. "He's a tremendous leader in everything he does."
Lautenslager redshirted last cross country season as well as the outdoor track campaign. He enjoyed tremendous success competing as an unattached athlete in major events, including the Penn Relays, in the spring. Two weeks ago, Lautenslager, who said he enjoyed his best summer training ever, won the Ken Garland Invitational in his first appearance at a cross country meet since 2014.
"Craig has improved every year, but you really saw him take it to the next level when he redshirted," Sauerhage said. "He's so focused and just an impressive individual."
"This year I hope to take my running career as far as it will take me," Lautenslager said. "I'm really excited about the opportunities ahead."
Lautenslager was born in Texas, but has lived in New Zealand since the age of eight, where he says, "There are trails you can take to heaven almost."
This week, the men's team will compete in its own version of cross country heaven, earning a spot in the Blue Race at the prestigious Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational. It is just the second time ever that the Mavericks have been selected to participate in the event's premier race. Half of the 24-team field is ranking among the nation's top 40.
"This will be a great chance for our team to see how we stack up against the best in the country, but more importantly in our region," Sauerhage said. "And it will allow Craig and Mike an opportunity to see how they compare individually."
"I'm really excited," Lautenslager said. "I expect to be up there with the top competition in the NCAA."
The men's race is set for 1:45 p.m. (CT) Friday. In addition, the women's team will be competing in the Gold Race, which is set to begin at 3:15 p.m. (CT). Led by junior Tori Shelton, UTA is ranked 14th in the most recent regional poll.
For a preview of the Notre Dame Invitational, watch the video.
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