NCAA WOMEN'S CROSS
COUNTRY COACHES' POLL ANALYSES
by Mike
Scott
University of Rhode Island
Return to Poll Analysis Homepage
Weekly Review: It seemed like just about everyone in the country was in Greenville running at the Pre-NCAA meet. Stanford and Brigham Young battled to a 1-2 finish in the 2nd race to claim the top two spots in the coaches' poll, while Georgetown placed 5 runners in the top 14 to win the 1st race. Washington's Sabrina Monro turned back a strong challenge from Boston College's Cate Guiney in the 2nd race for the top couple times of the day, while Colorado's Molly Austin took the 1st race. In other action over the weekend, Providence ran away with the New England Championship, North Carolina took the Wolverine Interregional, and James Madison won the Penn State meet. The October 20 weekend is off for almost all teams as they prepare for all the conference championships the following weekend.
Weekly Preview: The October 26-28 week features virtually every team in the country lining up to vie for their respective conference championships. The weekend kicks off out east on Friday at NYC's Van Cortlandt Park with both the Heptagonals and the Big East champs. At the HEPs, Yale, Cornell, Columbia, Dartmouth, and Princeton square off in the Bronx. In the Big East meet, Georgetown, Boston College, and Providence will fight it out for the team title, with Villanova and Notre Dame also in the hunt. On Saturday, North Carolina State and North Carolina line up at Clemson for ACCs, with Virginia, Duke, Georgia Tech, and Wake Forest also in the mix. The Michigan State women look to break Wisconsin's lock on the Big Ten championship, with Minnesota, Northwestern, and Michigan also in the field. Colorado looks to defend their Big 12 championship over Missouri, Texas, Texas A&M, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, and Baylor. BYU and Colorado square off in New Mexico at the Mountain West Conference meet. Stanford, Arizona State, Arizona, Washington, and UCLA fight it out for the PAC-10 title at Arizona State. Arkansas looks to notch another win at SECs, while Marquette and South Florida line up at Conference USA. James Madison is the favorite at Colonial Conference champs.
Teams are listed according to the October 15 Finishlynx/NCAA Division 1 Women's Cross Country Poll.
Note: I have compiled win/loss records for NCAA D-1 women's teams. They are updated through October 14.
The Top 25
1. Stanford
The Stanford Cardinal may have only finished 3rd at the 2000 championships in Ames' cold and blustery conditions, but the 1996 national champs have so much stockpiled talent at the Farm that it's tough to bet against them. Lauren Fleshman won the outdoor 5000 title last spring, while Erin Sullivan, Victoria Chang, and newcomer Sarah Bei have combined for the last four Foot Locker titles – and Fleshman, Mariel Ettinger, and newcomer Anita Siraki have all claimed Foot Locker runner-up finishes. Stanford's recruiting class is second to none – with Bei, Siraki, and FL West region champ Alicia Craig all relocating to Palo Alto. At the 9/29 Stanford Invite, the hosts split their team over 4k and 6k races and swept the team titles. Fleshman finished 2nd over 6k, with Ettinger, Bei, Chang, and Sullivan all following within 38 seconds. Craig easily won the 4k, defeating a couple returning All-Americans in the process. Stanford looked very impressive early on at Pre-NCAAs with five athletes in the top 15; at the finish frosh Craig and Bei led the way for the Cardinal, finishing 3-4 in the 2nd race with Fleshman about 16 seconds back in 9th. Ettinger (21st) and Sullivan (35th) rounded out the scoring for Stanford, giving them a 62-second 1-5 gap and a razor-thin two point win over BYU.
Meets: 10/27 PAC-10s (AzSt)
Returnees: Lauren Fleshman (11th, 5th; '01 5000 champ, 2nd '98 FL; 4:17, 4:39yd, 15:49), Erin Sullivan (25th, 7th '99; 1st '97 & '98 FL, '99 US Jr XC Champ; 9:36, 16:22, 34:47), Mariel Ettinger (96th, 217th '99; 2nd '97 FL; 16:43), Victoria Chang (217th; 1st '99 FL; 16:44), Caroline Annis (40th '98), Malinda Elmore (4:18), Laura Turner (10:16, 16:35)
Newcomers: Sara Bei (FL champ, 4:47.77yd, 9:39.29, 10:14.51yd), Anita Siraki (2nd FL, 4:46.35yd, 9:30.82, 10:12.48yd), Alicia Craig (20th FL, WXC, 4:46.73yd, 10:37.55yd)
2. Brigham Young
The 1997 and 1999 national titlests would appear to be a little down this year, but still return a crew that would be the envy of almost any coach in the country. '99 10k champ Tara Northcutt leads the team this fall and is joined at the front by New Orleans transfer Michaela Mannova – last fall's Sun Belt champ – and South Dakota transfer Jessie Kindschi. Lindsey Thomsen, the team leader for most of last fall, has struggled this fall and missed training time. The Cougars dominated the open race at the Great Race of the Great Bay meet, but despite an individual win by Northcutt at the Great American meet, BYU fell to a surprising North Carolina State team. In Charlotte, BYU ran without likely top-5 runners Mannova, Sarah Ellett and Nan Evans. The following weekend, BYU ran a mostly "B" team squad at the Stanford Invite with Mannova looking impressive in her debut as a Cougar – finishing second to Stanford's Alicia Craig. At Pre-NCAAs, BYU parlayed a 47-second 1-5 gap off of Northcutt's 5th-place finish into a strong second only two points back of Stanford's win.
Meets: 10/27 Mtn West (Albuquerque)
Returnees: Tara Northcutt (18th, 17th '99; '00 10k champ; 33:37), Katie Martin (55th; 10:29sc), Sarah Ellett (94th; 55th '98; 34:38), Lindsey Thomsen (150th; 16:13, 34:10), Nan Evans (152nd; 9:59sc), Katie Moon (10:42sc)
Newcomer: Jessie Kindschi (28th D-2 '00), Michaela Mannova (148th; transfer from New Orleans)
3. Georgetown
Ok – I have to admit that I didn't see this coming. I knew that the Hoyas – who placed fifth in Ames and return four from last year's squad – where better than they had shown yet this fall, but I didn't see them a legit contender for the team title. Pre-NCAAs showed that they are! NCAA indoor 3000 third-place finisher Marina Kruppa finished 4th in the first Pre-NCAA race to lead a startling 27-second 1-5 gap and take Georgetown to a dominating team win in that race; in my combined team scoring, the Hoyas were about 60 points back of Stanford and BYU – a difference that may be deceiving since the 2nd race got out much more quickly than Georgetown's race. Backing up Kruppa are Jill Laurendeau, Nicole Lee, Erin Sicher, and Amanda Pape. Earlier this fall, the Hoyas swept 1st – 5th places at the 9/22 Mt. St Mary's Invite, then comfortably won the 9/29 Cowboy Jamboree. Still, for Georgetown to be able to win it all, they will need to move their tight farther up in the pack.
Meets: 10/26 Big Easts (Van Cortlandt)
Returnees: Marina Kruppa (28th; 127th '99; 9:27, 16:19, 33:43), Emily Enstice (41st, 117th '99, 170th '98; 9:27), Amanda Pape (98th), Colleen Kelly (143rd)
Newcomers: Jodee Adams-Moore (10:48.50yd), Nicole Lee (10:55.83yd), Kelley Otstott (4:52.92yd, 10:59.10yd)
4. North Carolina State
North Carolina State's third-rated Wolfpack placed 11th last season at NCAAs, but appear to be making a run at a trophy this fall. All Americans Katie Sabino and Christy Nichols, and Virginia Tech transfer Kristen Price (4th indoors at 3000) lead NC State in their quest; Nichols is back for her sixth season – she first earned All-American status way back in '96. The Wolfpack surprised many with a strong win over BYU and North Carolina at the Great American meet. All American Price led NC St with her 3rd-place finish, with Megan Coombs, Beth Fonner, Sabino, and Christy Nichols all finishing within 24 seconds of Price. The Wolpack sat out Nichols at Pre-NCAAs; without her NC State slipped to a distant third behind Stanford and BYU in the second race (and about 60 points behind Georgetown in my combined scoring). Price looked a little off her game, finishing as third runner for the squad. However, Nichols was sorely missed – with out her, the Wolfpack had a 22-second 1-4 gap then dropped back another 52 second to their 5th. Inserting Nichols back in the lineup would move NC State up even with Georgetown.
Meets: 10/27 ACCs (Clemson)
Returnees: Katie Sabino (36th, 35th '99, 67th '98; 8th NCAA steeple; 9:22, 16:22, 10:05sc), Beth Fonner (101st, 160th '99; 16:49), Beth Kraft (117th, 17:06), Diana Henderson (141st, 34:58), Erin Swain (200th), Jennifer Modliszewski, Lindsey Rogers (41st '98; 16:33), Meegan Coombs (203rd '99; 10:28sc, 16:48), Christy Nichols (13th '99, '96 All American)
Newcomers: Kristin Price (VaTech, 4th ind 3000; 9:18, 15:55), Kara Price (11:10sc), Abigail Nelkie (10:50.84yd)
5. Boston College
The Eagles return their entire top seven from a squad that finished fourth at the 2000 championships. Twins Megan and Cate Guiney lead BC in pursuit of a national title and are joined by fellow All-American Katie Ryan. Jennifer Kramer, Julie Spolidoro, Sharon Van Tuyl, and Laura Smith also return. Foot Locker finalist Maria Cicero and Mass. prep standout Melissa Sherman join the Eagles in their pursuit of a national crown. Running without Cate Guiney, Ryan, Smith, and Spolidoro, BC opened with a loss to a slightly understrength Providence squad despite an individual win by frosh Cicero. Surprisingly, Meg Guiney faded to third over the final kilo after leading much of the race. However, BC showed why they are considered a contender for the NCAA crown when they dominated the 9/29 Meet of Champions; the Guiney twins finished 1-2 at Van Cortlandt – with Cate running away to a 38-second victory margin over sister Meg; Cicero was close behind in 4th, with Ryan 9th and Smith 15th. BC's 1-5 spread was a strong 72 seconds, which is impressive considering that Cate ran 22-secs faster than sister Meg did while winning last year's NE regional a week prior to claiming 13th at NCAAs. At Pre-NCAAs, the Eagles looked impressive – through three runners – with Cate running an outstanding race that saw her catch what appeared to be a fading Sabrina Monro at about 2.5 miles and surge into a 25m lead. Monro was able to reel her in over the final kilo, but Cate still impressed. Meg finished 8th, with Cicero just behind. However, normal 4-5 runners Ryan and Smith struggled at Furman and finished way back. If BC is able to regroup and put together even the effort they showed at Meet of Champions, they move into contention for the team title (conservatively, I'd think about 30 points behind Stanford and BYU in the combined team scoring).
Meets: 10/26 Big East (Van Cortlandtt)
Returnees: Megan Guiney (13th, 220th '99; 9:29, 16:25), Katie Ryan (24th; 9:27), Catherine Guiney (34th, 167th '99), Jennifer Kramer (97th), Julie Spolidoro (120th; 10:36sc), Sharon Van Tuyl (128th), Laura Smith (151st; 4:47yd), Jennifer Donovan (10:25sc)
Newcomers: Maria Cicero (13th FL, 4:48.10yd, 10:20.68yd), Melissa Sherman (2:11.82)
6. Michigan State
The Spartans failed to advance to the Show in 2000, but appear to not only be ready to claim a berth this fall but maybe even have an outside shot at a trophy. Michigan State swept the top eight places at the 8/31 Grand Valley Open, then easily won their own 9/21 Spartan Invite behind the individual win of Anne Sommerville. Sommerville led her teammates again at Griak, where Michigan State finished an excellent fifth. NCAA 10k qualifier Michelle Carson stepped up to finish only 8 seconds back of her teammate. At Pre-NCAAs, the Spartans really stepped things up – Carson finished fifth in the 1st race, followed by Jamie Krzyminski, Somerville, Katie Anderson, and Cindy Durocher – downing, among others the Arizona State team that simply left them in the dust at Griak. Michigan State had a 69-second 1-5 gap at Furman.
Meets: 10/28 Big Ten (Ill)
Returnees: Anne Sommerville (27th, 125th '99; 9:33, 10:27sc, 16:35), Cindy Durocher (62nd '99), Michelle Carson (34:29), Jamie Krzyminski, Sarah Pepera
7. Arizona State
Lisa Aguilera finished fifth last fall in Ames to lead her Arizona State squad to a sixth-place team finish. Joining Aguilera up front is '99 All America Kelly McDonald, who redshirted last fall but claimed third in the inaugural collegiate steeple. Aguilera and McDonald, arguably one of the top 1-2 duos in the country, finished 2nd and 3rd respectively at the prestigious 9/29 Roy Griak Invitational to lead their teammates to a comfortable team win over a strong field including top-10 ranked Providence and Arizona. Backing up Arizona State's front-running duo up is Brianna Torres (10th at Griak). However, things unraveled a bit at Pre-NCAAs: MacDonald and Torres appeared to have off days as the Sun Devils faded to third behind Georgetown and Michigan State – the latter a team they had beaten handily at Griak.
Meets: 10/27 PAC-10s (AzSt)
Returnees: Kelly McDonald (36th '99, 134th '98; 3rd in steeple & 5000; 4:22, 9:55sc; 16:03), Lisa Aguilera (5th, 50th '99, 131st '98; 4:19, 10:08sc, 16:06), Cynthia Atencio (46th), Brianna Torres (114th; 174th '99; 12th indoor 5000; 16:33), Beth Martin (203rd), Kristin McFerron (210th), Cody Sohn (10:27sc)
Newcomer: Desiree Davilla
8. Providence
The Friars finished ninth last fall in Ames. NCAA steeple qualifier Roisin McGettigan and NCAA indoor 5000 qualifier Claire Sherman lead PC as they battle for a qualifying berth out of one of the nation's deepest regions. However, PC has lost Heather Cappello for the 2nd season in a row – this year with compartment syndrome. The Fiars opened with an easy win over New Hampshire on 9/7, then downed an understrength Boston College on 9/17. PC then claimed second at Griak behind Arizona State. The Friars easily dominated the 10/12 New England Champs, with McGettigan finishing strongly to win the race.
Meets: 10/26 Big East (Van Cortlandt)
Returnees: Heather Cappello (40th '99, 154th '98; 9:22.81), Kathryn Casserly (81st, 163rd '99), Emily Tallen (102nd, 234th '99), Claire Shearman (144th, 89th '99; 16:37), Roisin McGettigan (145th, 139th '99; 4:23, 10:20sc), Lisa Cappello (180th)
Newcomers: Deirde Byrne (4:23, 9:50), Mary Cullen (9:50)
9. North Carolina
The Tar Heels could contend for the national title this fall and have the talent to make the run all the way to the top. Shalane Flanagan proved last year that she's as good as any runner in the country and will be joined by all seven of her teammates who finished 12th last fall in Ames. '99 FL runner up Victoria Jackson struggled early last fall with injuries, but rallied to run third for the squad at NCAAs. Newcomers Erin Donohue (the prep mile leader), Carol Henry (Canadian junior team), and Villanova transfer Liz Awtrey should all make an immediate impact. UNC's first real challenge this fall was at the Great American meet, where sans Flanagan they finished third behind NC State and BYU. Newcomer Henry ran well to finish second overall behind only BYU's Northcutt, while Awtrey finished 7th overall. On the other hand, Kim Timberlake and Jackson both had subpar days in Charlotte. Flanagan and Henry ran together at the 9/29 UNC Challenge as UNC placed 5 among the first 6 collegians. The Tar Heels ran a "B" team at Pre-NCAAs, with only Awtrey and Donohue running in Furman. Flanagan and Henry led an A squad in Michigan the following day to dominate the Wolverine Interregional.
Meets: 10/27 ACCs (Clemson)
Returnees: Shalane Flanagan (4th; '00 USA Jr XC Champ; 4:18,
4:35yd; 9:33, 16:29), Kim Timberlake (73rd; 159th '99, 142nd '98; 10:40sc),
Victoria Jackson (99th; 2nd '99 FL), Beth George (121st; 4:23), Rebecca Walker
(162nd, '98th '99, 209th '98), Bobbie Munson (244th; 2:04), Jennie Sucher
(246th)
Newcomers: Erin Donohue (2:08.87,
4:42.96yd, 10:37.52yd), Carol Henry, Liz Awtrey (65th, 55th '99; trans from
Villanova; 10:26sc), Nicole Boykin (11.01.94yd)
10. Colorado
Despite the graduation of individual NCAA harrier champion Kara Grgas-Wheeler's, the Colorado Buffalos are still highly ranked considered a favorite to repeat as NCAA champions. Sara Gorton, Jodie Hughes, Lesley Higgins, Tera Moody, Catherine Wright, and Jen Fazoli all return from last fall's national championships squad. Major question marks for the Buffalos at mid-season are two of the team's top runners – Gorton, 8th last fall as a frosh, who appears to have recovered from a plantar tear suffered last spring and Jodie Hughes, surprise winner of the indoor NCAA 5000. Both Gorton and Hughes missed the Pre-NCAA meet; Gorton was diagnosed with mono the Tuesday prior to Pre-NCAA while Hughes is recovering from achillies tendonitis. However, Coach Mark Wetmore told me that he expects to have them two of them back in time for the championship meets. In their absence Molly Austin, 5th in the 10,000 at the NCAA outdoor championships in Eugene, has really stepped things up this fall and won the 1st race at Pre-NCAAs. Moody, Higgins, Florida-transfer Hilary White, and Natalie Florence rounded out the Colorado's scorers in Furman, giving the Buffs a 1:42 1-5 gap and dropping them to fourth in their race. However, Colorado faces a stiff challenge to repeat as champions, even with Gorton and Hughes back in the lineup and running near the top of their game: Stanford, BYU, and Georgetown all three still beat them when the duo are inserted near Austin in the results. Keys for Coach Wetmore are to get Gorton and Hughes back, plus Moody, Higgins, and White to tighten the gap.
Meets: 10/27 Big 12 (Norman, OK)
Returnees: Sara Gorton (8th; 4:34yd, 9:11), Jodie Hughes (30th, 187th '99; 9:29, 16:02, 33:25), Lesley Higgins (52nd, 204th '99; 4:42yd, 9:34, 10:17sc), Tera Moody (71st, 118th '99), Catherine Wright (104th, 69th '99), Jen Fazioli (252nd, 127th '98), Molly Austin (5th 10k; 34:28), Kendal Grgas-Wheeler (11:03sc)
Newcomers: Hilary White (transfer from Fl; 11:08sc)
11. Arizona
The Wildcats return a strong crew from last fall's 19th-place squad including perennial contender Tara Chaplin. Former Boise State 10k All-American Abby Peters is expected to bolster Arizona's lineup. Running without Peters, the Wildcats finished third at Griak behind Arizona State and Providence. Chaplin led the squad with her 4th place effort; the addition of Peters probably wouldn't have been enough to move them ahead of Providence. Arizona easily won the 10/6 Murray Keating Invite (again without Peters), putting their five scorers among the first seven finishers. Arizona was scheduled to race Pre-NCAAs, but after two major cross country trips in two weeks the squad was sick so Coach Murray left the women at home.
Meets: 10/27 PAC-10s (AzSt)
Returnees: Tara Chaplin (45th; 33rd '99, 85th '98; 2nd indoor 3000; 9:36, 16:12, 34:38), Jennifer Burris (122nd, 158th '99), Erin Doherty (179th; 145th '99; 4:19), Nicole Gurnicz (183th; 10:21sc), Kim Bates (199th, 225th '99), Beth Hoge (243rd; 16:37)
Newcomers: Abby Peters (91st '99; transfer from Boise St), Amber Steen (4:28.00, 4:45.35yd, 10:29.85yd)
12. Arkansas
The Lady Razorbacks finished 13th in 2000 behind Lilli Kleinmann's 10th place finish; however Kleinman has yet to appear this fall and currently plans to redshirt. Track find Adreina Bryd led Arkansas to a 4th-place finish at Great American behind NC State, BYU, and UNC. The Lady 'backs then finished second at the Stanford Invite 6k behind Byrd's win. Arkansas easily won their own 10/13 Chili Pepper Invite without the services of Ay Wiseman. Penny Splichal, Christin Wurth, and Londa Bevins have stepped it up this fall for the Lady 'Backs.
Meets: 10/27 SECs (Auburn)
Returnees: Lilli Kleinmann (10th; 3rd '99; 4:46yd, 9:14, 10:01sc, 15:55), Christin Wurth (84th, 104th '99), Amy Wiseman (106th, 98th '98; 10:35sc), Alison Zeinner (231st), Londa Bevins (245th), Adreina Byrd (4:45yd, 9:24, 16:12)
Newcomers: Michelle Dela Vina, Laura Jackosky (5:05.82yd, 10:05.20, 10:43.74yd)
13. Washington
The Washington Huskies, 16th in the coaches poll, return NCAA 10k qualifier Kate Bradshaw from their 23rd-place team. 2000 NCAA cross country individual runner-up Sabrina Monro, who transferred from Montana to Washington over the summer, will greatly enhance Washington's chances for a return trip to the NCAA champs. The Huskies easily dominated weak fields at Emerald City and their own Sundodger Invite. The undefeated Monro confirmed her status at one of the favorites for the individual crown in November with big wins at Griak and Pre-NCAAs; newcomer Lisa Gibbs also showed that she's for real with a 6th place effort in Minnesota and a 10th-place effort in Furman. However, the Huskies dropped off rapidly after that duo with Bradshaw a minute back of Gibbs; Lisa's sister Jamie ran much better at Pre-NCAAs than at Griak as she and #5 Laura Halverson closed a bit on Gibbs.
Meets: 10/27 PAC-10s (AzSt)
Returnees: Kate Bradshaw (89th, 128th '99, 16:38, 33:35), Liza English (223rd), Susan Werner (247th), Kate Spigel (249th; 11:09sc)
Newcomers: Sabrina Monro (2nd; transfer from Montana; 4:43yd, 9:14), Camille Connelly (11:03.90yd), Lindsey Egerdahl (5:05.85), Lisa Gibbs (5:03yd, 10:59yd), Jamie Gibbs (5:13yd, 11:30yd), Laura Halverson (5:03.16m; Wa "A" prep xc champ)
14. Wisconsin
Wisconsin returns 1999 NCAA harrier champ Erica Palmer from last year's eighth place squad, but their Media Relations Office confirmed to a colleague of mine that she'll redshirt this fall as she recovers from an injury that kept her out during the spring season. Bethany Brewster joined Palmer leading early in last fall's championship race and held on to claim ninth. Brewster finished fourth in the 4k at the Stanford Invite to lead her teammates to third behind the hosts and BYU. Brewster once again led her teammates at the Wolverine Interregional, this time claiming a distant second to UNC's Flanagan as her team matched her individual finish. Backing Brewster up is Michelle Lilienthal, Hilary Edmondson, and Linsey Blaisdell – who finished together at Michigan – with Sara Kolpin running fifth for the Badgers.
Meets: 10/28 Big Ten (Ill)
Returnees: Erica Palmer (3rd, 1st '99; 9:13, 16:09), Bethany Brewster (9th; 54th '99, 62nd '98; 3rd indoor 3000; 4:22, 4:42yd, 9:16), Liz Reusser (112th; 112th '99; 16:29), Michelle Lilienthal (113th; 16:47, 34:42), Hilary Edmundson (161st), Leslie Patterson (193rd)
Newcomers: Linsey Blaisdell (16th FL, 5:00.03yd)
15. Virginia
The Cavaliers, who finished 5th in last fall's Southeast regional and were the first team to stay home from that district, opened by finishing second at their own 9/8 Lou Onesty Invite, then won the 9/22 William & Mary Invitational before finishing a credible 6th at Griak. Virginia then confirmed their strength with a 6th-place finish in the Pre-NCAAs Silver Race. Jennifer Owens, who finished 5th in Minnesota and 6th at Pre-NCAAs, and Sarah Folse lead the Cavaliers.
Meets: 10/27 ACCs (Clemson)
Returnees: Jennifer Owens ('99 All American), Sarah Folse
16. Villanova
The Wildcats return a young group from their 20th place squad and were further hurt by the transfer of Liz Awtrey to North Carolina. Newcomers Ioana Parusheva and Kalin Toedebusch led the Wildcats to a win at the Haverford Invite, then sixth at the Meet of Champions. While Renee Gunning didn't appear at the Meet of Champions, she did finish third individually at Paul Short. The frosh duo led the Wildcats again at Pre-NCAAs as their squad finished 7th with Gunning back in the lineup; Villanova had a nice 32-second 1-4 gap but needs their 5th runner to close up in order to give them a shot at a top-10 finish.
Meets: 10/26 Big East (Van Cortlandt)
Returnees: Rebecca Mitchell (140th; 4:42yd), Renee Gunning (155th), Carre Joyce (202nd; 11:09sc)
Newcomers: Kalin Toedebusch (5:04.30yd, 10:56.60yd), Ioana Parusheva
17. Northern Arizona
Susan Rutherford and Arkansas-Little Rock transfer Ida Nilsson lead a resurging Lumberjack squad that is expected to contend a berth at the NCAA meet. Nilsson and Rutherford finished 1-3 at Indiana State to lead NAU to an easy win. At Pre-NCAAs, Nilsson placed 6th in the Purple Race to lead her teammates to a 5th-place team finish. Rutherford and Hanifan both finished within 30 seconds of Nilsson, but the Lumberjack's 4th and especially the 5th runners struggled in a ways back.
Returnees: Susan Rutherford (67th; 16:31), Jinny Hanifan (10:25sc), Jamie Herman (11:09sc)
Newcomer: Ida Nilsson (trans from UALR)
18. Colorado State
The Rams finished 17th in Ames last fall. Colorado State opened with a win at their own invitational, followed by a strong fourth-place effort at Griak. Marget Larsen and Jennifer Kintzley led the Rams at Griak, with their top five splitting a mere 43-seconds in Minnesota. Colorado State's gap remained tight – 56-seconds – at Furman, where they finished 8th in the Pre-NCAA Silver race despite running without Kintzley.
Meets: 10/27 MtWest (Albuquerque, NM)
Returnees: Jennifer Kintzley (127th; 35:06), Marget Larson (131st; 9:35, 10:10sc), Katie Yemm (156th; 4:48yd), Kim Leal (174th), Christy Virgin (214th)
Newcomer: Andrea Beisser (from Bucknell), Colleen Blair
19. James Madison
The Dukes finished 2nd to Virginia at the William & Mary Invite and 10th at Griak, then won the Penn State Invite by a comfortable margin over the hosts. Mollie Defrancesco and Cindy Dunham lead JMU, which featured a 33-second 1-5 gap at Penn State.
Meets: 10/27 CAA Champs (W&M)
20. Duke
The Blue Devils finished 24th in Ames. Sheela Agrawal finished seventh individually at last year's NCAAs as a sophomore, but will redshirt this fall. Without Agrawal, Duke won the 9/8 Fordham Inv, finished fifth at Great American behind NC State, BYU, UNC, and Arkansas, and placed a distant 15th at Griak. The Blue Devils regrouped for Pre-NCAAs to claim 6th in the Silver race, with newcomer Paige Miller leading the squad to a 44-second 1-5 gap.
Meets: 10/27 ACCs (Clemson)
Returnees: Sheela Agrawal (7th, 28th '99; 9:23), Katie Atlas (149th; 241st '99; 2:08, 4:43yd), Maddy Woodmansee (195th, 166th '99), Lisa Nagorny (211th), Laura Schmid (222nd), Alison Hofman (237th), Coleen Howard (11:14sc)
Newcomers: Pheobe Ko (10:58.80yd), Paige Miller (5:02.39yd, 9:53.19, 10:43.01yd)
21. Yale
All-American twins Kate and Laura O'Neill led Yale to a surprise seventh place finish in Ames. The Bulldogs return 4 out of their top 5, and 5 of their top seven from last fall. However, Yale could only manage fourth at the 9/29 Meet of Champions behind Boston College, Boston University, and Cornell – even with all five returnees from last fall's champs running. The Bulldogs downed Princeton and Harvard at the 10/6 HYP meet, then finished 9th in the Pre-NCAA Silver race.
Meets: 10/26 HEPs
Returnees: Kate O'Neill (31st; 9:28, 16:10), Laura O'Neill (32nd; 16:26; 34:49), Lindsay Mitchell (107th; 10:38sc), Amanda Brewster (154th; 17:20), Rebecca Hunter (185th; 4:33)
Newcomers: Susan Chan (5:04.73yd, 10:52), Vamessa Mazandi (2:13.90), Mary Kuhn, Anne Martin
22. UCLA
Trying to put a subpar 2000 season behind them, the Bruins finished 2nd to Stanford at the CS Fullerton Invite and to Washington at the 9/22 Sundodger Invite, then 8th at Griak – again just behind the Huskies. At Pre-NCAAs, UCLA finished 7th in the Purple race. Freshman Alejandra Barrientos veteran Elaine Canchola lead a young Bruin squad.
Meets: 10/27 PAC-10s (AzSt)
23. Cornell
Looking to make a return trip to NCAAs for the first time since 1998, Cornell stepped things up with a 3rd-place effort at the Meet of Champions behind Boston College and Boston University. Lena Matthews leads a Cornell squad that features a tightly-bunched 2-3-4 runners, with a fifth trailing about 30-seconds back. Earlier this season, the Big Red had won meets in Ithaca and Monmouth.
Meets: 10/26 HEPs (Van Cortlandt)
24. Marquette
The Golden Eagles claimed 27th at the 2000 NCAA Championships. Marquette won the 9/8 Bradley Invite and the 9/21 National Catholic meet, finished 9th at Griak, then claimed 10th in the Pre-NCAA Silver race. Brianna Dahm and Susan Barth lead the Golden Eagles.
Meets: 10/27 C-USA (E. Carolina)
Returnees: Susan Barth (68th; 34:42), Bethany Harry (92nd), Brianna Dahm (205th; 10:36sc), Jessie Swan (209th), Audrey Schilts (221st), Jamie Haro, Beth Harry (10:46sc)
25. Boston University
BU finished 18th in 1999, but missed advancing to Ames by amassing just one more point than Columbia at last year's regional. NCAA individual qualifier Bolpar Vinh is expected to lead the Terriers, while BYU transfer Sherida (nee Rodgers) Bird will make an immediate impact. BU comfortably won it's own 9/15 invite over a field of unranked teams before claiming second at the 9/29 Meet of Champions. Rachel Felton and Vinh led the Terriers to an excellent 34-second 1-5 spread at Van Cortlandt. At Pre-NCAAs, Bird led BU to 9th in the Purple race while Vinh had an off day and ran 5th for the team
Meets: 10/27 American East (Maine)
Returnees: Bolpar Vinh (80th, 99th '99; 9:59), Rachel Felton (4:18, 4:45yd), Kathy Ireland (4:48yd, 9:25, 16:22), Jennifer Kehoe (4:26, 9:42), Lauren Matthews (17:22, 35:07)
Transfer: Sherida (Rodgers) Bird (transfer from BYU; 9:27.76), Dina Mijuskovic (Croatia; 4:36, 9:58)
Other Teams Also Receiving Votes:
26. Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech finished 31st last fall in Ames. Sophomore Renee Metivier finished 7th individually at Griak to lead her teammates to a 14th place finish in Minnesota. Georgia Tech won the 10/6 Georgia Intercollegiates prior to finishing 10th in the Pre-NCAA Purple Race; Metivier grabbed runner-up honors at Furman.
Meets: 10/27 ACCs (Clemson)
Returnees: Renee Metivier (123rd; 10:22sc), Amy Dock (135th; 16:37, 35:09), Sara Pardue (207th), Amy Edwards (226th), Eboni Crosby (228th), Betsy Bulat (242nd), Ashley Espy (251st)
27.
Notre Dame (tie)
Rebuilding after a disappointing 8th at last fall's Great Lakes Regional, the
Irish look for a trip to NCAAs in 2001.
ND finished second to Marquette at the 9/21 National Catholic
Invitational, then easily won the 10/5 Notre Dame Invite. Canadian junior champ Lauren King
– 26th at last spring's World XC Champs – sat out the National
Catholic meet, but debuted in a big way at the Notre Dame Invite, easily
winning in her first collegiate attempt.
King is joined by Jennifer Handley and Megan Johnson. Notre Dame then claimed 11th in the
Silver Race at Pre-NCAAs.
Meets: 10/27 Big Easts
Newcomer: Lauren King (26th WXC Jr)
27. Texas A&M (tie)
The Aggies grabbed 18th in Ames in their first appearance at the NCAA meet, but appears to be red-shirting many of their top returnees – including Melissa Guilli. However, Texas A&M looked very ragged at the Auburn, finishing sixth against a mostly unranked field, before winning ther own home invitational.
Meets: 10/27 Big 12 (Ok)
Returnees: Melissa Guilli (22nd; 9:33, 15:52), Andrea Bookout (26th), Jennifer Whatley (190th), Sarah Steadman (191st; 10:50sc), Kristy Bonn (208th), Kayci Waters (213th)
Others:
--. Baylor
Baylor won the 9/29 Auburn Invite over a field of unranked teams; earlier they had won their own invitational. Kara Newton returns to lead Baylor, but she didn't show up in the results at Pre-NCAAs, where the Bears could only muster a 23rd-place finish in the Silver race.
Meets: 10/27 Big 12s (Norman, Ok)
Returnee: Kara Newton (63rd, 193rd '98; 9:47, 17:01, 35:13)
--. Brown
Kim Thalmann leads five returnees from last year's squad that finished 15th in Ames, but hasn't yet appeared this fall. Brown's freshman dominated the field at the 9/8 CCRI invite. The varsity could only manage a distant 7th at the Meet of Champions, followed by a 19th-place effort in the Pre-NCAA Silver race.
Meets: 10/26 HEPs
Returnees: Kim Thalmann (37th, 56th '99; 16:39), Rosie Woodford (129th, 156th '99), Jenna Richardson (166th, 171st), Angie Morey (169th), Mary Hale (182nd)
--. Bucknell
Bucknell finished 24th at the '99 NCAA meet, but missed qualifying in 2000. Hurt by transfer of Andrea Beisser to Colorado St. Senior Becki Marshall won the 9/8 Gulden Duals, leading the Bison to wins over Siena and Syracuse. Bucknell then finished 2nd to Georgetown at the 9/22 Mt St Mary's Invite and behind Penn State at the 10/6 Paul Short Invite. At Pre-NCAAs, the Bison finished 17th in the silver race.
Meets: 10/27 Patriot League (Lehigh)
Returnees: Becki Marshall (96th '99), Theresa Dennis, Kristin Ferrell, Kelly McConnell, Christina Crowe
--. Cal-Irvine
Cal-Irvine claimed fourth in the "long" (6k) race at Stanford, with the trio of Tessa Cendejas, Amanda Armstrong, and Julie Manson leading the Anteaters. UC Irvine then finished 4th at the 10/13 Chili Pepper Festival. Earlier this fall, the Anteaters won the 10/8 UC Irvine Invite and the 10/22 UC Riverside Invite.
Meets: 10/19 CSU Fullerton, 10/27 Big West (SLO)
--. Columbia
The Lions returned all seven runners from their 25th place squad in Ames. A frosh squad finished 3rd at the 9/8 Fordham Inv. The varsity squad finished back in 11th at Griak, but scored some important wins over potential auto qualifiers Minnesota, Missouri, and Georgia Tech. The Lions finished 11th in the Pre-NCAAs Purple race.
Meets: 10/26 HEPs
Returnees: Caitlin Hicklin (90th), Haley Acre (134th), Lauren Harrison (136th), Melissa Stellato (164th), Erin Raggio (206th), Ali Nicolas (239th), Liz Burke (250th)
Newcomers: Laurel Gordon (11:04.48), Loretta Kilmer (10:50.66), Caryn Waterson (2:13.15)
--. Dartmouth
Laura Neill leads the Big Green, which finished 5th at the Meet of Champions. Dartmouth then finished 12th in the Pre-NCAA Silver race.
Meets: 10/26 HEPs (Van Cortlandt)
--. Florida State
The Florida State Seminoles narrowly finished 2nd to South Florida at the 9/22 Florida Intercollegiates, then finished 2nd to Baylor at the Auburn Invite. Victoria Gill won at Auburn; she had also won the Florida Intercollegiates, but was listed "unattached" there. Gill tried to challenge Washington's Sabrina Monro early in the Pre-NCAA Silver race, but paid the price later when she faded to 30th. Her teammates claimed 20th at Furman.
Meets: 10/27 ACCs (Clemson)
--. Kansas State
The Wildcats return Amy Mortimer, sixth in 2000. Kansas State downed an understrength Missouri squad at the Wichita State Invite, with Mortimer running away from the field for the win. Mortimer won again at the Cowboy Jamboree and Chili Pepper Festival, but her teammates could only manage 4th and 5th respectively in the team standings.
Meets: 10/27 Big 12s (Ok)
Returnees: Amy Mortimer (6th, 12th '99; 4:42yd, 9:23), Ekatertini Fotopoulou (138th, 170th '99), Amanda Crouse (204th, 68th '99; 10:49sc), Catherine Holston (236th)
--. Michigan
The Wolverines placed 14th in Ames, but may be hard pressed to repeat that finish in 2001. Michigan finished third at the 9/8 Miami Invite, 7th at the Meet of Champions, 2nd behind Notre Dame at the 10/5 Notre Dame Invite, and 4th at their own Wolverine Interregional.
Meets: 10/28 Big Ten (Ill)
Returnees: Jane Martuneau (83rd), Erin White (146th), Katie Ryan (186th, 223rd '99), Katie Easton (192nd), Lindsey Gallo (225th)
--. Minnesota
The Gophers finished 26th in Ames and will be led this year by sophomore Darja Vasiljeva, last season's Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Minnesota was unable to defend their title at the Griak Invite, slipping back to 12th. The Gophers then claimed 14th in the Pre-NCAA Silver race.
Meets: 10/19 Minn. Open, 10/28 Big Ten (Ill)
Returnees: Darja Vasilijeva (46th), Anita Menden (165th), Victoria Moses (184th, 188th '99; 10:51sc), Krista Anderson (227)
--. Missouri
The Tigers finished 16th in Ames, but lost Kerry Hils (transfer to Xavier). NCAA indoor 3k runner-up Ann Marie Brooks leads Mizzu, which faded to 13th at the 9/29 Griak meet. The Tigers finished 20th in the Pre-NCAA purple race.
Meets: 10/13 Pre-NCAAs, 10/27 Big-12s (Ok)
Returnees: Ann Marie Brooks (86th, 132nd '99, 94th '98; 2nd indoor 3000; 4:18, 4:36yd, 9:16, 16:06), Ashley McLeod (187th), Katherine Bonugli (219th), Amy Chipman (241st, 122nd '99)
Newcomers: Amanda Bales (2:12.26), Jill Peterson (4:56.40yd, 10:57.63yd),
--. Northwestern
Rachel Evjen returns to lead the Wildcats, which narrowly missed advancing to NCAAs last fall. Northwestern finished 2nd to Marquette at the 9/7 Bradley Open, won the Illini Invite, then claimed 16th at Griak. The Wildcats finished 19th in the Pre-NCAA purple race. Evjen won both the Bradley and Illini meets before finishing 23rd at Griak and 26th at Pre-NCAAs.
Meets: 10/13 Pre-NCAAs, 10/27 Big Tens
Returnee: Rachel Evjen (126th)
--. South Florida
The Bulls finished 30th in 2000. South Florida opened with a win at the Mountaineer Invite, then followed that up with a win at the 9/22 Florida Intercollegiates. At Pre-NCAAs, the Bulls claimed 13th in the Purple race.
Returnees: Tara Quinn (157th; 34:25), Cori Kill (173rd, 211th '99), Nicole McCarthy (181st, 232nd '99), Tiffany Quinn (212th), Kristy Fuller (215th, 238th '99), Jennifer Walczuk (233rd)
Meets: 10/27 C-USA (E. Carolina)
--. Texas Christian
The Horned Frogs fell short of qualifying for Ames as a team, but were well represented by Gladys Keitany's 40th place finish. TCU won the North Texas invite.
Returnees: Gladys Keitany (40th; 16:44)
--. Toledo
Former world junior cross country participant Petra Teveli leads the Rockets. Toledo opened by sweeping the top five spots at the 9/1 Eastern Michigan Invite. The Rockets then finished 19th at Griak, 2nd to Kent State at the 10/5 All-Ohio Champs, and 13th in the Pre-NCAA Silver race.
Meets: 10/19 Eastern Mich, 10/27 MAC Champs (EMi)
Returnees: Briana Shook (9:53, 17:18), Sara Vergote (10:04, 17:32), Jodi Harrington (4:37, 9:55), Emily Gora (10:14), Katherine Smyth (9:57, 17:09), Abby Phillips (10:31, 18:00), Bonnie Stewart (18:17), Lindsey Misejka (18:19)
Newcomers: Jessica Kraft (4:56 1600, 10:51 3200), Petra Teveli (9:58, 16:56, 35:22), Ebba Stenback (9:50, 6:43 2k sc), Chris Tye (17:44; 2nd World Mtn Racing Champs)
--. Wake Forest
The Deacons finished 29th in Ames and are looking for a return trip. Wake Forest finished sixth at Great American behind NC State, BYU, UNC, Arkansas, and Duke, 18th at Griak, and 18th in the Pre-NCAA Silver race. Newcomers Danielle Coon and Annie Bersagel lead a very young Friar squad.
Meets: 10/13 Pre-NCAAs, 10/27 ACCs (Clemson)
Returnees: Risa Rutland (159th; 17:18), Denise Hefferin (170th), Becca Veenstra (197th), Nicole Kalogeropoulous (234th), Courtney Lancashire (141st '99; 16:59), Kara Mullin (10:08)
Newcomers: Annie Bersagel (5th USAJr 1500; 4:34.43, 5:03.95yd, 10:56.96yd), Dannielle Coon (17th FL),Thersa Fath (2nd NY; 4:35.97, 5:04.05yd), Jill Miller (9th USAJr 1500)
--.