After losing his top runners from the men’s and women’s cross country team of last season, coach Tom Lyons isn't concerned with numbers for the Gator’s first meet this Saturday.

All-West Region runner Josh Babiak ran out of eligible years after last season, and California Collegiate Athletic Association Freshman of the Year, Erica Van Voast, has transferred. Coach Lyons said that despite the losses of his top two runners he expects his teams to be competitive this season, but is not yet concerned with finishes and times.

“There are no specific expectations except for them to get comfortable racing after a long summer of training,” Lyons said of the University of San Francisco Track and Field Invitational, the season opener at Golden Gate Park.

On the men’s side, the coach said this year’s expected top runner is senior Batbileg Bor. The senior will be joined by freshman Max Fernandez, a Huntington Beach native, and Pasadena City College transfer Jason Karbelk. Jose Alvarez and Paul Broyer will complete the squad’s top five.

Broyer, a senior who was out with a knee injury all last season is "making a long comeback,” Lyons said.

The women’s team boasts four consistent runners beginning with Diablo Valley College transfer Vera Ross, the team’s top runner. Ross, who was a North Coast Conference Champion and All-American selection while at Campolindo High School, is joined by Shannon Weston, who finished 26th in conference last year. Red-shirts Krista Phillips and Tonya Ferreira will also run as part of the top five. The coach is still looking for a fifth runner to join the four and hopes one will develop after Saturday’s meet.

“We have some potential athletes that could do that but we don’t know yet,” the coach said.