Butler, VCU to ‘raise ante’

UD cross country: ‘Our job’s a lot tougher.’ 2 new teams could heighten competition in most sports.

The University of Dayton has fared well in the Atlantic 10 in men’s cross country despite being one of only three schools in the league without a track program, which gives long-distance runners a competitive environment in the offseason to stay in top form.

The Flyers were third in the conference in 2009 and fourth the last two years. And with every runner returning from their 2011 team, they have even loftier goals this fall.

“Never in the history of the NCAA has a cross country-only program won its (league) title in cross country,” UD coach Rich Davis said. “That’s kind of our inspiration. We want to make history in the A-10.”

The Flyers may have shown they can contend for a crown, but they’ll be facing a new hurdle in their bid to rise to the top this season with Butler joining the conference. The Bulldogs have fielded one of the premier cross country programs in the nation, winning 14 straight Horizon League titles.

“Our job’s a lot tougher,” said Davis, who is in his 16th year. “It’s a very tough goal anyway because of (perennial power) La Salle. And Butler makes it tougher.

“In our sport, you welcome good competition. … But they recruit well. They recruit well from the British Isles. They have some Englishmen and Scots.

“They’re basically known as the British Junior Olympic team, really.”

The additions of Butler and Virginia Commonwealth have been hailed as a coup for the A-10 in men’s basketball because of their recent NCAA tournament success.

And while all programs at those schools are facing a major step up in competition, other teams appear poised to challenge for league titles, too.