Analysis of the 2003 NCAA Division I Women's Cross Country Coaches' Poll
by Mike Scott,
University of Rhode Island
Updated: 3 October
For the 7th consecutive year, I am analyzing the Women's Division I Coaches' Poll. Teams are listed according to their ranking in the current edition of the FinishLynx/NCAA DIVISION I WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY NATIONAL POLL, as conducted by the Women's Intercollegiate Cross Country Coaches' Association.
Notes: Places listed in parentheses refer to finish at the 2002 NCAA D-1 XC Championships at Indiana State University, unless otherwise noted. Performances are from the 2002-03 year, unless otherwise noted. Performances at the Foot Locker High School Cross Country Championships are denoted by "FL".
As always, I appreciate additions, corrections, and updates. Please send them to me at miscott@att.net
Next Weekend: The September 26-27 weekend marked the kick-off of the serious cross country season.
Great
American (9/26) -- BYU missed the Race of Championships because their coach was
using a schedule that was a couple months old. In their absence, archrivals NC State and UNC dueled over
the hilly course. UNC finished
1-3-4, with defending NCAA champ Shalane Flanagan winning and Carol Henry and
Erin Donohue grabbing 3-4 ahead of their ACC foes. However, the Wolfpack's power of the pack -- consisting of
Julia Lucas, Kristin Price, Renee Gunning, Lucinda Hull, and Josie Lauber --
gave them a 45-55 edge over the Tarheels.
Vicki Gill -- who received news only 12 minutes before the gun that the
NCAA had approved Scottish transfer's appeal for an extra year of competition
-- led her Florida State teammates to a team bronze.
Roy Griak (9/27) -- Arizona State was the big winner at Griak, with a comfortable win over defending champ Michigan State. Although Providence's Kim Smith was an easy winner, Columbia edged the Friars for 3rd. Baylor grabbed 5th.
Stanford (9/27) -- The hosts split their squad between the 4K & 6K races and were upset in both races; Alicia Craig dominated the 6K -- which was won by UCLA -- while Sara Bei and Ari Lambi took the 4K -- which was won by cross-Bay rivals Cal.
TOP THIRTY TEAMS:
1. Brigham
Young
Patrick Shane's defending champion BYU Cougars
have now won 4 of the last six NCAA team titles ('97, '99, '01, '02), including
the last two crowns. NCAA
steeplechase champs Michaela Mannova ('02) and Kassi Andersen ('03) return to
lead the Cougars. Mannova, who
finished 5th in both the '01 and '02 NCAA harrier races, redshirted the outdoor
season but notched a swift 9:42.01 steeple while winning silver at this
summer's Euro under-23 meet. In
her absence, '02 USA Junior 1500 champ Andersen (7th) ran away with the steeple
title in an NCAA meet record 9:44.95 before claiming silver at the USA
championships. Also returning for BYU are Breanne Sandberg (41st), Lisa
Antonelli (10:14.37s/c), Shalice Pugmire (10:32.88s/c), as well as a possible
key for the Cougars' hopes of a three-peat: former two-time cross country
All-American Laura Turner (26th '99, 31st '98) who served on an LDS mission in
2000 and 2001. Foot Locker
finalists Ruth Graham (12th FL) and Amber Harper (13th FL) could help bolster
the Cougars' lineup.
BYU opened by running a "B" squad (BYU's website stated that they held out the top 5 or 6 runners) at the BYU Alumni Inv, where they 1-2-3-4-5'd the field with Antonelli, Suzanna Larsen, and Breanne Sandberg finishing together. Breane Sandberg won the 9/13 BYU Autumn Classic to lead a mostly "B" squad to an easy team win over cross state rival Weber State. Sandberg, Larsen, Rena Williams, Antonelli, and Jami Caldwell scored for the Cougars. BYU ran completely different "B" squad in Hawaii and fell to UCLA; of note for the Cougars were seasonal debuts for Michaela Mannova's (easy win) and Foot Locker finalist Amber Harper's (a bit back in 10th).
"In over 20 years of coaching, I've never had a team
miss a race," declared a still stunned Coach Shane when interviewed
following his BYU squad missing the 9/26 Great American Race of Champions.
"I can't blame anyone but myself.
The other 15 teams all made it to the starting line on time." The understrength and likely
demoralized Cougars -- still sans Anderson and Turner (who Shane assures me are
fit and healthy) -- dominated the "B" race a little over an hour
later, but their times would have likely placed them behind NC State and
UNC. The Cougars are likely to
debut their full squad at Pre-NCAAs.
Meets: 10/10 AzSt, 10/17 Pre-NCAA, 11/1 Mountain West Conf (San Diego), 11/15
Mountain Reg (Ft Collins, CO)
Returnees: Michaela Mannova (5th, 5th '01, 148th '00; 9:42.01s/c; '02
steeplechase champ), Kassi
Andersen (7th; 2:08.10, 4:18.04 '01, 9:44.95s/c, '03 steeplechase champ, 2nd
USA s/c, 1st '02 USA Jr 1500), Breanne Sandberg (41st; 16:22.59), Shalice
Pugmire (10:32.88s/c), Aneta Lemiesz (2:05.30), Lisa Antonelli (10:14.37s/c),
Laura Turner (26th '99, 31st '98; 16:38.67)
Newcomer: Ruth Graham (12th FL; 10:02.7 3k, 10:46.87y); Amber Harper (13th FL;
4:37.95, 9:54.44 3k); Julie Cameron (2:12.83, 5:10.45i), Whitney McDonald (CA)
2. Notre
Dame
The Irish came through big-time at the
NCAA championships to claim 3rd behind the leadership of Molly Huddle (6th as a
frosh!) and 2-time Cross Country All-American Lauren King (19th). Loryn King (76th), Stephanie Madia
(78th), and Katie Wales (225th) also return from the '02 NCAA meet, while Megan
Johnson is back after a redshirt year.
Notre Dame opened by running a mostly "B" squad at the
Valparaiso Inv, which won behind Jean Marinangeli's individual win. The Irish also won the 9/19 National
Catholic Inv with a "B" squad, with newcomer Kerry Meagher leading
Notre Dame with an individual win.
Meets: 10/3 ND Inv, 10/11 Bronco Open, 10/18 Pre-NCAAs,
10/31 Big East (NYC), 11/15 Great Lakes Reg (Terre Haute)
Returnees: Molly Huddle (6th, 4th '01 FL; 4:20.50, 15:36.95), Lauren King
(19th, 27th '01; 4:14.72), Loryn King (76th), Stephanie Madia (78th, 23rd '01
FL; 4:26.98), Katie Wales (225th); Megan Johnson (130th '01), Rachel Endress,
Jean Marinangeli (17:12), Elizabeth Webster
Newcomers: Amy Kohlmeier (CAN; 2nd Can Jr XC; 4:29.43, 9:52.01), Kerry Meagher (4:28), Jean Marinangeli (17:12)
3. Colorado
NCAA indoor 5k champ Sara Gorton will miss
the season due to a Sept 19 surgery to correct a torn tendon in her left
foot. All-American Natalie
Florence (22nd) returns to lead the Buffs and is joined by Jackie Zeigle
(138th), and Christine Bolf (186th) from the '02 NCAA harrier meet, as well as
Laura Zeigle who missed most of last fall's campaign due to injuries, but
showed good fitness while competing unattached last spring. 2001 NCAA runner up Renee Metiever transferred
from Georgia Tech after missing all of last year due to a medical redshirt
while Villanova transfer Kalin Toedesbusch will also help the Buffs. At the CU Time Trial, it's traditional
for the returnees to keep cranking up the pace until only 7 runners remain,
then permit the youngest among them to "win". This year, newcomer Shannon Sparks
earned that honor followed by Bolf, Toedebusch, Florence, Gorton, and Metivier;
Jackie Zeigle finished about 50 seconds behind, while neither Laura Zeigle nor
Erika Odlaug appeared.
Meets: 10/04 Rocky Mountain Shootout, 10/18 Pre-NCAAs, 10/31
Big-12 (Austin, Tx), 11/15 Mountain Reg (Ogden, UT)
Returnees: Natalie Florence (22nd, 100th '01; 16:21.41, 33:40.46), Jackie
Zeigle (138th, 7th FL; 5:02.45y, 9:41.23), Christine Bolf (186th); (returning
from injuries): Erika Odlaug (2nd '01 FL; 17th '01 World XC; 10:35.13y '02),
Laura Zeigle (3rd '00 FL, '01 USA Jr Champ; 4:28.85, 9:51.28), Redshirting:
Sara Gorton (Sept 19 surgery for posterior tibialis in right legl 10th, 8th
'00; 4:15.48, 15:24.97; ind 5k champ, 3rd out 5k),
Newcomers: Shanna Sparks; Renee Metiever (x-fer from GaTech; 2nd '01), Kalin
Toedesbusch (x-fer from Villanova; 67th, 95th '01;)
4. Arizona
State
The Sun Devils finished 23rd in both '01
and '03 and return six from last year's NCAA squad. Amy Hastings will lead Arizona State this fall just as she
led the US Junior Team at last spring's World XC Champs. ASU dominated their
cross-state rivals Arizona at the 9/19 Dave Murray Invitation, with Amy Hasting
leading a tightly-packed 22-second 1-5 spread (4.3K) that included Anna
Masinelli, newcomer Jessica Crate, Desiree Davila, and Amanda Lyon. The same quintet surprised at Griak,
notching a comfortable win with a 65-sec 1-5 spread over 6k; Hastings finished
3rd individually while Masinelli was 7th.
Meets: 10/10 AzSt Inv, 10/18 Pre-NCAAs, 11/01 Pac-10
(Pullman), 11/15 West Reg (Portland)
Returnees: Amy Hastings (92nd, 20th WJrXC), Desiree Davila (150th, 205th '01),
Anne Marie Masinelli (157th), Jessica Scalzo (169th), Amanda Fitz-Gustafson
(209th), Liz Lindgren (223rd), Jenny Aldridge
Newcomers: Jessica Crate
5. North
Carolina State
Not quite able to match their runner-up
performance from '01, the Wolfpack finished 13th in Terre Haute behind 2002
NCAA 10k champ Kristin Price. In
addition to the talented Price, NC State fields a nice mixture of proven
veterans and talented newcomers.
NC State easily downed Wisconsin and host Tennessee in a tri-meet, with
Price running away with the race and Renee Gunning, Lucinda Hull, Josi Lauber,
and Megan Coombs packing it in together nicely to cement the win. The Wolfpack's "B" team won
the 9/20 Raleigh Inv. The
Wolfpack's pack running overcame UNC's strong front runners as NC State won the
9/26 Great American Festival. Julia Lucas and Price led Renee Gunning, Lucinda
Hull, and Josi Lauber to a 44-second spread.
Meets: 10/18 Pre-NCAA, 11/01 ACC (Wake Forest), 11/15 SE Reg
(Greenville, NC)
Returnees: Kristin Price (29th, 4th '01; 9:28.80, 16:08.25i, 32:50.01; '02 10K
champ), Megan Coombs (13th '01), Kristina Roth (65th; 10:26s/c), Josi Lauber
(70th, 173rd '01), Diana Henderson (167th, 141st '00), Janelle Vadnais (182nd;
4:29.21), Abigail Nelkie (185th), Julia Lucas (205th; 41st WXC; 4:27), Amy
Arnold ('01 Ohio Champ); Renee Gunning (4:29.92; 16:53.13), Kara Price, Erin
Swain
Newcomers: Sara Powell (21st FL;
MA XC champ; 5:05.38y, 10:54.8y), Jennifer Boyd (VA champ; 4:56.64y, 10:03.64),
Jessica Yester (5:00.62y), Lucinda Hull (x-fer from Lehigh; 10:32s/c)
6. Michigan
State
The Spartans finished 11th in '01 and 12th
in '02. Michelle Carson and Jamie
Kryzminski lead all seven members back from last year's NCAA squad. Katie
Anderson led Sarah Pepera, Brittany Ballard, Natalie Stein, and Cindy Durocher
to a 1-5 sweep at the Saginaw Valley Open, with all five Spartans finishing
together; neither Carson nor Kryzminski appeared. All-American's Carson and Kryzminski finished 1-2 at the
Spartan Invite to lead Peppera, Stein, and Anderson to all finish among the top
7 with a 55-second 1-5 gap over 6k.
The Spartan claimed runner-up honors at Griak behind Arizona State, with
Carson finishing 4th and Kryzminski 9th; the 1-5 gap for Michigan State was
67-sec.
Meets: 10/18 Pre-NCAAs, 11/2 Big Ten (MiSt), 11/15 GL Reg
(Terre Haute)
Returnees: Michelle Carson (27th, 34th '01; 16:24.59i), Jamie Kryzminski (47th,
106th '01; 9:31.35i, 16:17.50i, 32:52.87; 5th 10k), Sarah Pepera (95th,
10:27.37s/c), Cindy Durocher (124th, 208th '01, 62nd '99), Natalie Stein
(173rd, 147th '01), Gail Stec (230th), Brittany Ballard (240th); Katie Anderson
(116th '01), Megan Radermacher Michelle Rafferty
Newcomers:
7. UCLA
The Bruins finished 25th in Terre
Haute. 2002 NCAA 1500 champ Lena
Nilsson claimed 17th individually at last year's NCAA meet but has yet to
appear in UCLA's lineup. Newcomer
Allison Costello led the Bruins "B" team at the 9/13 Aztec
Invitational, with Ashley Caldwell, Sarah West, Carolyn Shea, and Emily Haigh
rounding out the UCLA scorers.
With only a BYU "B" team to contend with in Hawaii (9/20), the
Bruins notched a win with Caldwell leading Jenny Timinsky, Costello, Valerie
Flores, and West to a 27-sec 1-5 spread over 4K. UCLA continued on their streak the following week with a
convincing win over an understrength (but still strong) Stanford squad; Flores
led Costello, Timinsky, Ashley Caldwell, and McBain to a 43-sec 1-5 split over
6K.
Meets: 10/18 Pre-NCAAs, 11/01 Pac-10 (WaSt), 11/15
(Portland)
Returnees: Lena Nilsson (17th, 135th '01; 4:07.69, '01 1500 champ, 2nd '02
1500), Alejandra Barrientos (86th, 125th '01), Valerie Flores (180th, 127th
'01; 19th FL '99), Jenna Timinsky (206th; 2:07), Carmen Winant (207th), Allison
Hall (224th), Lori Mann (245th, 190th '01), Ashley Caldwell (), Sarah West ()
Newcomers: Allison Costello
8. North
Carolina
Shalane Flanagan won her first NCAA title
on her third try, running away from the field in Terre Haute. This season Flanagan hopes to not only
defend her title, but also lead the Tar Heels to a spot on the awards podium. Joining Flanagan up front will be Carol
Henry, the '02 NCAA steeple bronze medallist, two-time NCAA 800 champ Alice
Schmidt, and incoming Foot Locker finalists Megan Kaltenbach and Meghan
Owen. At their 9/13 season opener,
Erin Donohue and Henry finished 1-2 with Owen, Kaltenbach, and newcomer Kristin
Stroupe rounding out the scorers.
With NCAA champs Flanagan and Schmidt sitting out, UNC ran a 62-second
1-5 spread. The full lineup toed
the line at the 9/26 Great American, but despite a tremendous 1-3-4 finish by
Flanagan, Henry, and Donohue, the Tarheels fell short of archrival NC
State. Newcomers Owens and
Kaltenbach finished 59- and 76-seconds respectively behind Donohue.
Meets: 10/3 App St., 10/18 Pre-NCAAs, 11/1 ACCs (Wake Forest), 11/15 SE Reg
(Greenville, NC)
Returnees: Shalane Flanagan (Defending NCAA XC Champ, 22nd '01, 4th '00; '00
USA Jr Champ; 4:11.60, 15:20.54; Ind 3k Champ, 2nd out 5k, 2nd USA 5k), Carol
Henry (38th '01; 4:19.32, 10:03s/c; 7th s/c, 3rd '01 s/c), Erin Donohue (91st,
60th '01; 4:19.09), Alice Schmidt (140th; 2:01.16, '02 & '03 out 800 Champ),
Jessica Perry (213th), Cassie King (219th), Jennie Sucher (252nd)
Newcomers: Megan Kaltenbach (20th FL; 4:49.28y, 9:44.21, 10:28.81), Meghan Owen
(8th FL, 2:53.19i 1k, 4:50.58y)
9. Stanford
Despite the loss of 3-time NCAA 5k
champion Lauren Fleshman and mile standout Malindi Elmore as well as a coaching
change, the Cardinal appears to be set for another run at the NCAA harrier
crown. Following the departure of
Stanford mentor Vin Lannana for greener pastures (well, at least Ohio), former
All-American Dena Evans was promoted to Head Women's Coach. NCAA 10k champ Alicia Craig finished
3rd in Terre Haute last fall and will lead Stanford this fall and should be
joined up front by teammate Sara Bei (57th). Jeane Goff and Anita Siraki round out the NCAA returnees for
the Cardinal. Coach Evans scored
big with this year's recruiting class, nailing down one of the fastest prep
milers of all time Ari Lambie -- who also won the ever-competitive Foot Locker
NE regional before succumbing to illness at the FL finals -- along with the
talented Trotter twins -- Kathleen (2nd at Foot Locker championships) and
Amanda.
Stanford dominated its season opener at the 8/30 Bronco Invite with Sara Bei, Katy Trotter, Jeane Goff, and Amanda Trotter all finishing together in the top four spots; Craig and Lambie didn't appear at the opener.
Like their rivals at BYU, Stanford's team's first serious outing -- at their own 9/27 invite -- didn't quite turn out as planned. Coach Evans split her squad between the 4K (Bei, Lambie, A. Trotter) and 6K (Craig, McWalters, K. Trotter, Goff, Siraki) races -- both teams, incidentally, would likely qualify as "A" teams under NCAA guidelines -- and were upset by Cal and UCLA respectively. Bei and Lambie simply dominated the 4K, while Craig destroyed the field over 6K.
Meets: 10/4 Murray Keating, 10/18 Pre-NCAAs, 11/1 Pac-10 (Pullman), 11/15 West Reg (Portland)
Returnees: Alicia Craig (3rd, 28th '01; 15:25.75, 32:40.03, NCAA 10k Champ), Sara Bei (57th, 89th '01; '00 FL Champ; 16:03.08; 13th out 5k; USA Jr '01 3k champ), Jeane Goff (128th, 4:26, 10:23.08s/c), Anita Siraki (110th, 2nd '00 FL' 9:47i); Kristen Cohoon (10:04.77; 17:08), Yfa Kretzschmar (2:10.05, 5:01.95y);
Newcomers: Ari Lambie (22nd FL, 1st FL NE; 2:45.46NR, 4:20.2, 4:37.23y, 10:11.9y), Kathleen Trotter (2nd FL, 2:11.32, 4:50.32y, 10:30.47y, ) Amanda Trotter (2:11.37, 4:54.43y, 10:32.11y), Teresa McWalters, Julie Allen (11th '01 FL; 4:59.27y, 10:37.75y),
10.
Georgetown
The Hoyas won trophies each of the last
two years, claiming 3rd in 2001 and 4th last year. Treniere Clement (58th),
Nicole Lee (68th), Jodee Adams-Moore (88th), and Jill Laurendeau (104th, 14th
'01) all return from last year's NCAA squad, while Amanda Pape and Colleen
Kelly return from the '01 bronze medallists. The Hoyas were surprised by a better-than-expected Arkansas
team at the 9/13 Georgetown Invite as Arkansas tied the hosts in a wet and wild
competition; Georgetown was missing Amanda Pape (sinus infection) from their
lineup, but was otherwise fielding their "A" squad. The Hoyas
returned with a mostly "B" squad the following week to win the George
Washington Inv.
Meets: 10/4 Lehigh, 10/18 Pre-NCAAs, 10/31 Big East (NYC),
11/15 Mid Atlantic (Lock Haven)
Returnees: Treniere Clement (58th; 2:07.90, 4:15.00), Nicole Lee (68th, 84th
'01; '01 US World XC Team; 16:49.11, 34:26.03), Jodee Adams-Moore (88th, 112th
'01), Jill Laurendeau (104th, 14th '01; 4:22.64 '01), Amanda Pape (46th '01,
98th '00; 16:39.39 '01), Colleen Kelly (145th '01, 143rd '00; 4:26.64,
16:42.22), Maura McCusker (4:29.64), Diana Clock (16:50i), Kelley Otstott,
Sabine Knothe
Newcomers: Elizabeth Maloy (2:12.82, 4:24.26, 4:52.15y, 9:45.45), Jayne Penn,
Sarah Isbitz (2:56.42 1k)
11. Columbia
The Lions won their first ever Heps title
in 2002 before winning the regional title and claiming 11th at the NCAA
meet. Columbia adds Duke transfer
Caroline Bierbaum (34th), Cal champ Laura Meyers, and top Foot Locker regional
performers Genevieve Chavez and Susannah Shaw to the strong returning sixtet of
Loretta Kilmer, Trish Nolan, Caitlin Hickin, Melissa Stellato, Tenke Zoltani,
and Lisa Stublic. The Lions
featured a strong 33-second 1-5 gap at Griak to claim 3rd behind Arizona State
and Michigan State; Nolan didn't appear at Griak while Bierbaum finished 247th
out of 248 in the official results.
Meets: 10/18 Pre-NCAAs or Penn St, 10/31 HEPs (NYC), 11/15
NE Reg (Boston)
Returnees: Loretta Kilmer (48th, 163rd '01; 34:47.46), Trish Nolan (62nd, 165th
'01; 16:45.50 '02), Caitlin Hickin (97th, 20th '01, 90th '00; 16:32.66 '02),
Melissa Stellato (101st, 152nd '01, 164th '00; 4:30.67, 16:47.41), Tenke
Zoltani, (142nd), Lisa Stublic (144th; 16:52.75), Julie Fisher
Newcomers: Caroline Bierbaum (x-fer from Duke; 34th), Nicci Fish (10:50), Genevieve Chavez (10th FL S), Susannah Shaw (10th FL W; 4:53), Laura Meyers (CA D-4 XC Champ; 11:00)
12.
Providence
Perennial top-10 power Providence returns
four from their sixth-place squad, and gain two impact runners. All-American Mary Cullen (28th)
blossomed last year to twice break 16:00 and garner 4th in the NCAA outdoor
5k. Deirdre Byrne, Lisa Cappello,
and Roisin Quinn also return from last year's NCAA squad. Kimberly Smith and Fiona Crombie, a
pair of New Zealand imports, should immediately help the Friars; Smith ran
9:09.96 and 15:47.92 this spring, while Crombie competed outdoors for PC. PC opened by hosting Rhode Island and
New Hampshire on 9/5; Smith and Cullen "jogged" away from the field,
while Byrne and Crombie were 20 secs back with Cappello another 40 seconds
behind. PC then dominated the 9/12
BC Select meet, with Cullen, Smith, Crombie and Byrne finishing 1-2-5-6; with
Cappello sitting out the race, Katie Twarog was the Frairs' 5th. Smith controlled the Griak Gold race to
notch the individual win, while Cullen claimed 8th; however, this was not
enough to compensate for the Friar's lack of a quality fifth runner (2:15 1-5
spread) as PC could only muster 4th behind Arizona State, Michigan State, and
Columbia.
Meets: 10/17 Penn St Invite; 10/31 Big East (NYC), 11/15 NE Reg (Boston)
Returnees: Mary Cullen (28th, 214th '01; 9:09.13, 15:56.96; 5th 5k), Deirdre
Byrne (71st, 114th '01; 4:26.86), Lisa Cappello (176th, 196th '01, 180th '00),
Roisin Quinn (249th), Ashley Jensen, Katie Twarog
Newcomers: Kimberly Smith (NZL; '02 & '03 WXC; 4:18.09, 9:09.96, 15:47.92);
Fiona Crombie (NZL; 4:48y, 9:45);
13.
Villanova
'Nova finished 8th in Terre Haute. Marina Muncan, Ioana Parusheva, and
Rebecca Mitchell should lead the Wildcats; Kalin Toedesbusch transferred to
Colorado, but the Wildcats gain Hungary's Zita Mezei (4:16.97, 9:24.24). The Wildcats "B" squad took
the Haverford Invite, then finished well back at the 9/27 Iona MOC. The Villanova "A" squad has
yet to debut.
Meets: 10/18 Pre-NCAAs, 10/31 Big East (NYC), 11/15 Mid
Atlantic Reg (Lock Haven)
Returnees: Marina Muncan (35th; 2:06.29, 4:21.32), Ioana Parusheva (44th, 209th
'01; 4:30.89, 10:37.72s/c), Rebecca Mitchell (83rd, 110th '01, 140th '00;
2:06.24, 4:21.00), Liz Gesel (116th, 19th '01 FL; 4:58.42y), Carre Joyce
(217th, 180th '01, 202nd '00; 4:30.20, 10:52.53s/c), Kirsty Smith (227th;
10:55.01); Transferred: Kalin Toedesbusch (x-fer to Colorado; 67th, 95th '01;),
Newcomer: Zita Mezei (HUN; 2:06.76, 4:16.97, 9:24.24), Denise Mazzeo,
14. Baylor
The Bears finished 4th at regionals last
fall and will be led by Erin Dixon and US Junior steeple champ Angela
Marvin. Baylor won the 9/13 North
Texas Invite, then finished 5th at Griak behind Arizona State, Michigan State,
Columbia, and Providence. Lisa
Cornelius, a 17:13 5000 performer last spring, led the Bears to a 43-sec 1-5
spread in Minnesota.
Meets: 10/4 Cowboy Jamboree, 10/18 Pre-NCAAs, 11/1 Big 12
(Texas), 11/15 SC Reg (Baylor)
Returnees: Erin Dixon, Angela Marvin (USA Jr s/c champ; 6:37.48 2k), Jessica
Chance, Lisa Cornelius (17:13)
Newcomers: Brittany Brockman (4:54, 10:36), Monique Ortega (4:59, 10:35),
Brittany McGuire (5:04)
15. Northern
Arizona
The Lumberjacks claimed 10th last fall and
return 6 runners from their NCAA squad.
Two-time NCAA steeple runner-up Ida Nilsson and her sister Johanna, the
NCAA indoor mile champ, lead Northern Arizona, which also gained English
graduate transfer Laura McCreesh.
At the 9/6 George Kyte, the Lumberjacks swept the top six individual
places, w/ Erika Edwards and Johanna Nilsson running 1-2 and Ida Nilsson
apparently sitting out the effort.
The following weekend, Johanna Nilsson lead the 'Jacks with a win at the
Aztec Invite (Sister Ida apparently sat out this meet too); Erika Edwards,
Natalie Rogers, Julia Fisher, and Ariel Latimer rounded out the scorers (1:28
1-5 spread). The Sisters Nilsson
finished and uninspired 9th and 10th (Johanna and Ida respectively) at the 9/26
Great American to lead the Lumberjacks to 3rd behind NC State and UNC; NAU
displayed a 59-sec 1-5 spread.
Meets: 10/11 AzSt Inv, 10/18 Pre-NCAAs, 11/1 Big Sky (NAz),
11/15 Mtn Reg (Weber St)
Returnees: Ida Nilsson (8th, 12th '01; 9:10.48i; 9:49.94s/c, 15:51.71), Johanna
Nilsson (12th; 4:10.72, 4:32.49iy, NCAA ind Mile champ), Erika Edwards (82nd,
143rd '01), Jinny Hanifan (139th, 63rd '01; 10:25.23), Natalie Rogers (179th,
49th '01 World Jr XC), Julie Fisher, Jodie Denike
Newcomers: Natsha Wicks (2nd NV), Ariel Latimer (32nd FL W; 5:04, 11:08), Laura
McCreesh (GR x-fer from GBR; 17th GBR Champ; 16:40),
16. Wisconsin
The Badgers look to send off Coach Peter
Tegen (retiring end of '02-03 season) with a bang and improve upon their
19th-place finish in 2002. Maggie
Guiney, a graduate transfer from Boston College, is reportedly fit and should
boost Wisconsin's chances.
Michelle Lilienthal and Hilary Edmondson finished 3-4 to lead the
Badgers as they lost to NC State, but beat host Tennessee on 9/12; Guiney, Heidi
Lane, and Linsey Blaisdell wrapped up Wisconsin's scorers. Edmondson and Lilienthal switched their
order at the 9/27 Stanford meet to lead the Badgers to 3rd behind UCLA and a
portion of Stanford's "A" team; Blaisdell, Guiney, and Lane helped
Wisconsin to a 43-second 1-5 split over 6K.
Meets: 10/4 Loyola Inv, 10/11 Luther College, 10/18
Pre-NCAAs, 11/02 Big Ten (MiSt), 11/15 GL Reg (Terre Haute)
Returnees: Hilary Edmondson (93rd, 161st '00; 4:22.33), Linsey Blaisdell
(121st), Heidi Lane (143rd), Michelle Lilienthal (147th, 113th '00), Jackie
Mulrooney (179th)
Newcomer: Maggie Guiney (GR x-fer from Boston College; 9th '01, 13th '00)
17. Penn
State
The Nittany Lions finished 25th at the
NCAA meet. Team leaders Tracey
Brauksieck (96th) and Molly Landreth (134th) both were steeple finalists at the
NCAA champs. Landreth led her
teammates to a sweep of the top 8 places at the 9/13 Spiked Shoe Invite;
Landreth ran away to a 27-second win, with Chelsea Lenge, Katy Hillard, Maureen
Thomas, Brauksieck, Jenny Stevens, Tara Johnson, and Kayla Matrunick all finishing
within 13 second of each other.
Molly Landreth finished 6th overall to lead the Nittany Lions to 6th in
the team standings at Griak with a 73-sec 1-5 gap.
Meets: 10/3 Notre Dame, 10/18 National Invite (PnSt), 11/2
Big Ten (MiSt), 11/15 Mid Atlantic Reg (Lock Haven)
Returnees: Tracey Brauksieck (96th; 10:16.91s/c), Molly Landreth (134th;
10:07.78), Michelle Wale (137th, 134th '01), Jenny Stevens (161st; 4:31), Katy
Hillard (187th; 4:35), Tara Johnson (192nd), Maureen Thomas (229th; 35:49),
Chelsea Lenge (16:58)
Newcomers: no significant newcomers
18. Arkansas
Arkansas finished 7th at last fall's NCAA
meet, but graduated their top three.
Penny Splichal missed much of the '02 season, but should be one of the
team's leaders. Following an easy
team win at the Fayetteville Inv, Maureen Scott led the Lady'Backs to a 28-28
tie against Georgetown at the 9/13 Georgetown Inv. Scott won the race and was followed home by Laura Jakosky,
Kristina Smith, Alison Zeinner, and Penny Splichal with a 28-second 1-5
gap. Arkansas maintained a tight
29-second split at the 9/27 Stanford Invite, but Scott ran 5th for the squad
behind Zeiner, Smith, Jakosky, and Splichal as the Lady 'Backs claimed 4th
behind UCLA, Stanford, and Wisconsin.
Meets: 10/18 Chili Pepper, 11/3 SEC (Georgia), 11/15 SC Reg
(Baylor)
Returnees: Maureen Scott (105th, 10:50.13s/c, 16:38.04), Laura Jakosky (112th;
10:40s/c, 17:04), Shiloh Whiting (131st, '02 USA Jr s/c champ; 10:32.69s/c),
Erica Sigmont (171st; 2:07.67, 4:19.46), Penny Splichal (75th '01; 16:41.61,
34:14.15),
Newcomers: Caroline Peyton, Kristina Smith (AK XC Champ; 4:32.72, 4:56.86y), Sarah Selby (IL XC Champ), Tiffany Redlarczyk (4:58y, 10:40), Sara Saffa (5:03y)
19. Colorado
State
The Rams claimed 20th at the '01 NCAA
meet, but failed to advance to NCAAs last year. CSU won the Lobo Inv, the finished 7th at Griak. Nicole Feest led the Rams at Griak as
they notched a 30-sec 1-5 split in Minnesota.
Meets: 10/18 Pre-NCAAs, 11/01 Mtn West Conf (San Diego),
11/15 Mtn West (Weber St)
Returnees: Katherine Yemm (80th '01, 156th '00; 4:44.14iy), Jennifer Kintzley
(129th '01, 127th '00), Colleen Blair (150th), Michelle Carman (x-fer from
Boise St; 16:52), Brittany Saunders (2:14, 5:07, 11:08 at altitude); Crystal
Clark (17:19), Nicole Feest
Newcomers: April Thomas, Rebekah Yetzer (2:16, 5:01, 10:59), Valerie McGregor,
Emily McGregor, Nicole Feest (x-fer from Oregon)
20. Wake Forest
The Demon Deacons were one of the
break-through teams of the '02 season, winning ACCs and the SE regional before
finishing 9th on an off day at NCAAs.
All-American Anne Bersagel should lead a deep Wake Forest squad. Foot Locker finalist Michelle Sikes won
both the Mountaineer Open and the 9/13 Wake Forest Alumni Invite leading mostly
"B" squads to wins at both meets. Surprisingly, the Deacons debuted their "A" squad
at Griak (sans Danielle Coon and Jill Miller) and looked flat as they finished
a distant 8th in Minnesota; Bersagel claimed 5th, but Wake could only muster a
90-second 1-5 split.
Meets: 10/3 Notre Dame, 10/18 Pre-NCAAs, 11/1 ACC (Wake
Forest), 11/15 SE Reg (Greenville, NC)
Returnees: Anne Bersagel (25th, 57th '01; 4:26.26, 16:19.16, 33:23.52), Anna
Sherman (72nd; 4:19.77), Erin Franklin (120th), Danielle Coon (146th), Jill
Miller (218th; 16:11), Nikeya Green (220th; 2:04.56, 4:26.53), Lisa Gibbs (35th
'01; 34:34.79 '02),
Newcomers: Michelle Sikes (15th FL; 4:58.66y, 10:54.03y), Hanna Bremler (x-fer
from Hawaii; 4:29.1), Selina Sekulic (5:00.01iy)
21. Missouri
Mizzou won the MW regional before finishing
16th in Terre Haute. Sophomores
Amanda Bales and Valerie Lauver return to lead the Tigers. Despite holding out Lauver and
Katherine Bonugli, the Tigers still finished 1-2-3 to dominate their 9/6 home
meet; Bales led Jill Petersen and Serena Ramsey to the sweep. The following week, Mizzou sat out
Bales, but Lauver returned to lead the Tigers to a win at the Bradley Open over
Marquette. At Bradley, Lauver,
Petersen, Ashley Patten, Kristin Hansen, and Bonugli combined for a 42-second
1-5 split -- a figure that should be reduced when Bales returns to the
lineup. Bales led the Tigers to a
distant 9th at Griak, with Lauver appearing to struggle; Mizzou could only
muster a 65-sec 1-5
Meets: 10/18 Pre-NCAAs & Chili Pepper, 10/31 Big 12
(Texas), 11/15 MW Reg (Stillwater)
Returnees: Amanda Bales (53rd), Valerie Lauver (54th, 8th '01 FL; USA Jr WXC),
Serena Ramsey (172nd), Katherine Bonugli (191st, 219th '00), Jill Petersen,
Jackie Pirtle
Newcomers: Kate Bundy, Merry Uchiyama, Kate Greer, Allison Werner
22.
Tennessee
The Lady Vols claimed 28th at last year's
NCAA championships. Brooke Novak
(103rd) returns to lead the Lady 'Vols.
Novak's runner-up finish to only NC State's Kristin Price at the NC
State-Wisconsin-Tennessee Tri shows that she fit this fall. Georgia Tech transfer Carly Matthews,
Megan Cauble (164th), Liz McCalley (250th), and Jessica Southers (238th)
rounded out Tennessee's scorers in their season opener; Several Lady Vol's sat
out the meet including Felicia Guliford and Stanford transfer Lindsay
Hyatt. Although Guliford and
Hyatt joined Tennessee's lineup at the 9/19 Crimson Classic, Novak and Matthews apparently didn't run; in
their absence, Cauble led the Lady 'Vols to an easy victory.
Meets: 10/4
Paul Short, 10/18 PnSt, 11/3 SECs (GA), 11/15 South Reg (Auburn)
Returnees: Brooke Novak (103rd), Megan Cauble (164th); Jessica Southers
(238th), Felicia Guilford (246th; 6th FL; 8th USA Jr); Liz McCalley (250th),
Erin Anderson (253rd), Mindy Sullivan (17th '01 FL), Christy Baird, Katie
Flaute
Newcomers: Lindsay Hyatt (GR x-fer from Stanford), Carly Matthews (x-fer from
GaTech, 5:13.75y, 10:09.62), Leslie Treherne
23. Michigan
The Wolverines finished 15th at the NCAA
champs. In addition to returning
Rebecca Walter (51st), Lindsey Gallo (108th), Andrea Parker (159th), and
Chelsea Loomis (16:37/35:48), Michigan gained Dartmouth graduate transfer
Jessie Allen-Young (140th '01).
Allen-Young led the Wolverines to an easy win at the 9/13 Miami Invite and
to 10th at Griak; at the latter meet, Allen-Young finished 11th, but her
scoring teammates were spread out over 78-secs.
Meets: 10/18 Pre-NCAAs, 11/1 Big Tens, 11/15 GL Reg (Terre
Haute)
Returnees: Rebecca Walter (51st; 25th WXC; 16:18.29), Lindsey Gallo (108th;
4:16.35; 4:44.52iy, 9:30.05i, 16:39.03), Andrea Parker (159th; 10:38.18s/c;
16:39.51i), Jennifer Frudden ('01 Iowa champ), Chelsea Homan (4:29.87), Chelsea
Loomis (16:37.27i, 35:48.60), Katie Erdman (2:07.2, 4:52)
Newcomers: Jessie Allen-Young (GR x-fer from Dartmouth; 140th '01); Jackie Gaydos
(MI D-2 XC Champ; 4:55.2y)
24. Florida
State
The Seminoles finished 28th at NCAAs. The Seminoles finished 2nd to Wake
Forest at the 8/29 Mountaineer Open then won the 9/12 Florida
Intercollegiates. All-American
Vicki Gill learned 12 minutes prior to the start of Great American that she had
won her appeal for an additional year of eligibility and celebrated by claiming
individual runner-up honors behind defending NCAA champ Shalane Flanagan to
lead the Seminoles to a 4th-place performance.
Meets: 10/18 Pre-NCAA, 11/1 ACCs (Wake Forest), 11/15 South
Reg (Auburn)
Returnees: Natalie Hughes (197th; 4:16.33), Ann Clinton (231st; 17:11), Laura
Melendez (251st), Jenny Gomez (254th), Suzanne Shepard, Cathleen Willy (10:46
3200 '02), Rachel Marsh
Newcomer: Helen Hofstede (NED; 4:23.5), Heather Clark (5:04.66y), Carla Agnew
(CAN; 4:43.1)
25.
Washington
Washington finished 31st at the 2002 NCAA meet. The Dawgs won the 9/6 Emerald City meet and the 9/27
Sundodger meet; at the latter meet, Amy Lia led Lindsey Egerdahl, Laura
Hodgson, Brianna McLeod, and Marie Foushee to an excellent 15-second 1-5 split.
Meets: 10/3 Notre Dame Inv, 10/18 Pre-NCAAs, 11/01 Pac-10s
(WaSt), 11/15 West Reg (Portland)
Returnees: Lindsey Egerdahl (156th; 2:10, 4:32), Laura Halvorsen (216th), Laura
Hodgson (228th; 2nd USA Jr XC, WXC Team), Jamie Gibbs (242nd; 113th '01; 9:58,
16:58), Camille Connelly (235th '01; 9:58, 10:52s/c) Chessa Adsit-Morris
Newcomers: Brianna McLeod (3x OK champ; 3rd Jr 3000, 4:50y, 9:45), Ingvill
Maakestad (NOR; NOR XC runner-up; 2:04.38, 9:25 '02), Marie Foushee (Wa AAA XC
Champ; 5:04, 11:00), Dallon Williams (6th CA XC; 2:15, 5:01y); Kira Harrison
(2:12, 5:01, 11:16), Amy Lia (2:15, 5:05),
26.
Princeton
Princeton, who finished 5th at the '02 Mid
Atlantic regional, dominated the9/13 Battlefield Invite and a relatively weak
9/26 Iona MOC. Emily Kroshus and
Cack Ferrell finished 1-2 at Iona to lead Carrie Strickland, Claire Filloux,
and Marian Bihrle to a 57-sec 1-5 spread over 6k.
Meets: 10/4 Y-H-P (Boston), 10/18 Pre-NCAAs, 10/31 HEPs,
11/15 Mid Atlantic Reg (Lock Haven)
Returnees: Emily Kroshus (124th), Cack Ferrell, Carrie Strickland, Laura
Petrillo, Meredith Lambert (10:13.80, 10:54.06y), Jordan Wagenseller (2:13.55)
Newcomers: Mia Swenson (4:58y, 9:59), Claire Filloux
27. William
& Mary
The Tribe tied Arizona State for 23rd at
the '02 NCAA meet. All-American
Ali Henderson will lead William & Mary. Henderson won the 9/13 Lou Onesty Inv to lead a
understrength W&M team to runner up honors behind an understrength Duke
squad; the Tribe didn't race Emily Halm, Jackie Kosakowski, and Lauren
Heron. Henderson finished 7th at
Great American to help the Tribe (sans McMahon) claim 5th behind NC State, UNC,
Northern Arizona, and Florida St; Halm, Cathcart, Kosakowski, and Bishop
combined with Henderson for a 82-second 1-5 spread.
Meets: 10/18 Pre-NCAA, 11/1 Colonial AA, 11/15 SE Reg
(Greenville, NC)
Returnees: Ali Henderson (38th; 16:09.65, 33:55.23; 8th ind 5k, 12th 10k),
Maura McMahon (80th; 17:01.25, 34:43.71), Kristyn Shiring (175th; 17:42.69),
Jackie Kosakowski (178th; 10:57.18s/c. 17:16.54), Lauren Heron (234th;
4:31.87), Emily Halm (9th '00 SE Reg), Katrina Menard, (36:58.65), Lara Toscani
(4:37.59), Erin Masterson (2:15.19)
Newcomers: Julia Cathcart ('01 FL), Heather Stevenson (2:17.3, 5:06.85y), Meghan Bishop (4:58.10y, 10:57.3y), Jessica Wolfe (VA St Catholic champ), Kate Willever (5:10.16y, 7:08.89 2ks/c)
28. Marquette
The Golden Eagles graduated their top
three from last year's 18th-place squad, but return Brianna Dahm from
redshirt. Newcomer Heidi Lindemen
won the Bradley Invite to lead Marquette to second behind Missouri; Wisconsin
transfer Michael Courtney, Jamie Haro, Shannon Oster, and Susie Edmond rounded out
the team's scorers, who notched a 42-second 1-5 gap in Dahm's absence. Jodi Jakubek led the Golden Eagles to
11th at Griak; Jakubeck's 24th helped the squad to a 58-sec 1-5 spread.
Meets: 10/04 Willamette Invite, 10/18 Pre-NCAAs, 11/1 Conf USA (SFl), 11/15 Great Lakes Reg (Terre Haute)
Returnees: Brianna Dahm (51st '01; 107th '00; 4:23.93, 9:22.07, 10:04.14s/c, 16:50.84), Jodi Jakubek (98th; 16:59.18), Jamie Haro (181st), Alli Sauer (198th; 35:53), Susie Edmond (244th), Tara Hinke ('01 Wisc Div 1 champ), Audrey Schlitz
Newcomers: Heidi Lindemen (10:30), Oster (10:20 3k), Michaela Courtney (x-fer from Wisconsin; 4:52y)
29.
Southwest Missouri State
Third at the '02 MW regional, the SMS
Bears are trying for their first NCAA championship berth. The Bears won the 9/6 Wichita State
Classic with a 33-sec 1-5 gap led by Laura Schafuetzel and Erin Sutton, the won
the Missouri Southern Stampede, with Sutton leading SMS to a 45-second 1-5
spread.
Meets: 10/4 Cowboy Jamboree, 10/18 Pre-NCAAs, 11/1 Mo Valley
(Drake), 11/15 MW Regional (Ok St)
Returnees: Erin Sutton (4:59.96i,
10:32.85s/c, 16:59.30) Casey Owens (4:34.04, 9:51.82i, 16:52.37), Laura
Schafluetzel (10:08.16i, 17:40.13), Ashley Sanders (10:03.16, 17:36.36), Casey
Dewitt (18:23.05), Becky Moffit, 4:51.89), Lisa Lewis; Likely Redshirt: Rebekah
Daro (10:00.03i, 10:39.58s/c, 17:30.21)
Newcomers: Kate Chettle (AUS, x-fer from Arkansas; 4:32, 9:50.94), Jennifer
Beasley, Clarris Codrington, Chloe Key, Tonisha Moore, Jessica Tuttle, Nicole
Walcutt (x-fer from Iowa St), Sara Whiting
30. Nebraska
The Cornhuskers finished 13th at the 2002
MW regionals. Nebraska won the
9/20 Woody Greeno Invite and finished 12th at Griak; Anne Shadle's 19th-place
effort led the 'Huskers to a 64-sec 1-5 gap in Minnesota.
Returnees: Ann Gaffigan, Anne Shadle, Kayte Tranel, Kathryn
Handrup
Newcomers: Finker (x-fer from Col St), Farah Jadran (Ill runner-up), Kim
Pancost
31. Toledo
Still in a quest for a first-ever team
appearance at the NCAA championships, Toledo fell just short again in 2002.
With steepler Briana Shook having completed her cross country eligibility, the
two-time MAC champions will be led by Washington State transfer Everlyne Lagat
(30th in '01). Toledo opened with a "B" squad tying Bowling Green in
a dual on 9/5; only Chris Tye from the Rockets' top six raced in the
opener. Tye sat out the 9/20
Toledo Invite, but the meet saw the seasonal debut of Lagat, Candace Cromley,
Erica Moriarty, Kelly McCarty, and Ebba Stenback. Lagat's 30th-place effort a Griak led her full squad to a
13th-place finish and a 75-second 1-5 split.
Meets: 10/10 All-Ohio, 10/18 Pre-NCAAs, 11/1 MAC, 11/15 Great Lakes (Terre
Haute)
Returnees: Erica Moriarty (4:32.69, 9:50.50, 17:16.69), Chris Tye (NZL,
10:06.80, 17:00.32, 35:52.70), Ebba Stenbeck (SWE, 4:42.78, 10:00.70,
10:52.12s/c, 18:06.10), Jackie Baumgarter (10:18.14, 18:09.44)
Newcomers: Everlyne Lagat (x-fer
from WashSt; 30th '01; 4:28.30, 9:25.90, 16:15.17), Kelly McCarty (x-fer from
Houston; 4:35.65, 10:06.16), Katalin Garami (HUN; 4:35.34, 9:58.89, 17:14.11);
Candice Cromley (11:09), Lindsay Helge (11:18), Alison Tittle (11:14), Megan
Tittle (11:26)
32. Boston
College
Hampered by injuries and illness in 2002,
Boston College -- 6th in 2001 -- had the distinction of being the best team in
the country not to qualify for the NCAA meet. 2001 USA Junior champ Maria
Cicero, 16th in her collegiate debut and 18th at the 2002 champs, returned to
lead the Eagles after recovering from an early-season bout with mono; Cicero,
however, suffered a stress fracture mid-summer and isn't expected to race until
late October. Also returning with
NCAA experience are Jennifer Kramer and Jennifer Donovan (9th NCAA s/c), while
National Scholastic indoor 5k winner Jesse Mizzone joins the squad. The Eagles sat out Cicero, Laura Smith,
and Laurel Burdick at the 9/12 season opener and finished a distant 2nd to
Providence. With all but Cicero
racing in Minnesota, the Eagles could only muster a 14th-place team finish;
Kramer and Donovan finished 10th and 14th, but the scoring 5 were spread out
over 2minutes.
Meets: 10/10 New Englands, 10/18 Pre-NCAAs, 10/31 Big Easts
(NYC), 11/15 NE regional (Boston)
Returnees: Maria Cicero (18th, 16th '01; USA Jr Champ; 9:31.85, 17:05.40),
Jennifer Kramer (119th '01, 97th '00; 4:23.56, 9:38.18i, 17:13.26i), Jennifer
Donovan (183rd '01; 9:32.50i, 10:04.52s/c), Laura Smith (151st 00; 17:04.67),
Laurel Burdick (22nd FL), Daniel Jelley, Anne Hessberg, Alexis Lake
Newcomers: Jesse Mizzone (10:07.5i, 10:44.85, NSIC 5k champ), Jessica Flinn (NH
state champ)
33. Indiana
The Hoosiers stepped it up in 2002 to claim 14th at the NCAA meet. Mindy
Peterson and Audrey Giesler should lead Indiana. IU easily dominated its own 8/29 Indiania Opener, with
Giesler, Lindsay Hattendorf, Peterson, and newcomer Kristin Whitezell placing
2-3-4-5. The Hoosiers also
dominated the 9/19 Indiana Intercollegiates, with Giesler winning and leading a
51-second 1-5 spread. However,
Indiana could only muster a 15th-place effort at Griak; Geisler's 16th-place
finish led a 69-second 1-5 split.
Meets: 10/3 Notre Dame, 10/18 Pre-NCAAs, 11/2 Big Ten, 11/15
GL Reg (Terre Haute)
Returnees: Mindy Peterson (59th; 4:26.43), Audrey Giesler (77th, 10:24.19s/c),
Jessica Gall (113th; 16:49.53), Lindsay Hattendorf (145th; 16:53.88), Becky
Obrecht (153rd), Alison Miller (235th), Kelly Siefker (247th; 10:51.24s/c)
Newcomers: Kristin Whitezell (5:00.85y)
33. Kentucky
Kentucky finished 8th at the '02 Southeast
regional. Individual qualifier
Caitlin Phillips (126th) leads the Wildcats. Patterson led the Wildcats at the 9/20 WKU Oldtimers
Classic.
Meets: 10/4
Louisville, 10/18 Pre-NCAA, 11/3 SEC (Athens, GA), 11/15 SE Reg (Greenville,
NC)
Returnees: Caitlin Phillips
(126th; 4:29.76, 9:36.51, 16:45.56), Brooke Patterson (2:06,4:48y), Allison
Grace (9:51), Leah Kerstetter (9:55), Leep (2:10, 4:30), Beth Heimann (2:04,
4:27), Jackie Wagner
Newcomers: Ganne Way (2:09), Emily King (10:52y)
35.
California
The Bears surprised a split Stanford squad
over 4K at the 9/27 Stanford Invite.
Bridget Duff led Christy Borak, Abby Parker, Lindsey Maclise, and Maja
Ruznic to a 36-second 1-5 gap in Palo Alto.
Returnees: Bridget Duffy, Abby Parker, Lindsey Maclise, Maja
Ruznic
Newcomers: Christy Borak, Samantha Jones, Eva Markeiwicz
35. Richmond
Richmond has improved this fall. Lyndsey Webber, Amanda Russell, and
Danielle Binns led Spiders to 3rd at the 9/13 Lou Onesty Inv behind Duke and
William & Mary. Richmond then
won the 9/27 Ukrop's Maymont Inv, with newcomers Russell and Binns again leading
their teammates to a solid (44-sec) 1-5 split.
Returnees: Lindsey Webber, Nicole Kurtain, Alison Belicose
Newcomers: Danielle Binns, Amanda Russell, Caitlin Smith
37. Duke
Duke finished 17th in Terre Haute. The Blue Devils will lose their top two
runners from last season, with Caroline Beirbaum transferring and Clara
Horowitz redshirting. However,
Natsha Roetter is competing this year after taking a year away from the sport. Laura Stanley led Paige Miller, Shannon
Rowbuy to 1-2-3 finish and a win at the 9/5 Covered Bridge Open. The following weekend, Roetter finished
second in her collegiate debut to lead Duke to wins over William & Mary and
Virginia. Roetter, Sally
Meyerhoff, newcomer Elle Pishney, Liz Wort, and Phebe Ko combined for a 29-second
1-5 spread. Meyerhoff finished
16th to lead her teammates to 6th at Great American; Roetter dropped out with
asthma problems, while Rowbury, Stanley, and Miller didn't appear.
Meets: 10/3 Notre Dame, 10/18 Pre-NCAAs, 11/1 ACCs (Wake Forest),
11/15 SE Reg (Greenville, NC)
Returnees: Shannon Rowbury (119th; 2:09.90, 4:41.85iy, 9:32.51i), Sally
Meyerhoff (163rd, 12th '01 FL; 4:29.44, 16:42.51), Laura Stanley (195th, 5th
'01 FL; 16:43.82), Phebe Ko (200th), Heidi Hullinger (222nd; 16:58.10); Meghan
Leon (4:26.27), Elizabeth Wort (10:49.09s/c), Lauren Matic (4:24.62), Sheila
Agrawal (7th '00, 28th '99; '00 USA World XC Team; 16:29.54), Paris Edwards
(9:53.37), Paige Miller (9:38.34, 17:03.89); Redshirting: Clara Horowitz (85th,
USA Jr XC Champ, 39th WJrXC; 4:28.32, 9:27.53i, 16:26.15i)
Newcomers: Lindsay Van Alstine (27th '01 FL; 5:00y, 10:02.16, 10:31.6y;
17:24.89), Rachel Umberger (2:09.67, 2:54.16 1k), Lindsey Owen (2:12.35), Elle
Pishny (10:06.13, 17:18.77)
ADDITIONAL TEAMS:
--. Auburn
Auburn claimed 4th at the '02 South
regional. Catherine Waynoike (74th) and USA Junior National
team member Angela Homan will lead the Tigers this fall. Auburn opened with a win at the 9/5 UTC
Opener, with Homan and Waynoike finished 1-2 over the 2-mile course. Auburn then claimed 6th at the 9/27
Iona MOC behind Princeton, Yale, Pittsburgh, Dartmouth, and Brown.
Meets: 10/10 Auburn Inv, 10/25 Miss St Inv, 11/3 SEC
(Georgia), 11/15 South Reg (Auburn)
Returnees: Catherine Waynoike
(74th; 2nd '01 JUCO; x-fer from Butler JC), Angela Homan (51st WJrXC, 18th '01
FL), Spring Dawson, Caitlin Reese, Sarah Reese, Dawn Morgan, McKenzie Fox,
Danielle Keplinger
--. Ball
State
The Cardinals claimed 27th at last fall's
NCAA meet. Ball State finished 3rd
at both the 9/13 Maimi Invite and the 9/19 Indiana Intercollegiates before
winning the 9/26 Central Collegiates over a weak field. Jill Scully and Crystal
Meeks finished 1-2 at the latter event.
Meets: 10/3 Notre Dame Inv, 10/18 Pre-NCAAs, 11/1 MACs
(Akron), 11/15 GL Reg (Terre Haute)
Returnees: Jill Scully (136th), Crystal Meeks (155th), Sarah Huddleston
(203rd), Aubrey Gaffer (239th), Nicole Hartford (243rd), Linda Stebbins (10:04,
17:30)
Newcomers: Amanda Ponsot (2:14, 5:05), Rose Lehe (5:10)
--. Boston
University
BU finished 7th at the 2002 NE
regional. The Terriers won their
9/12 quad, then finished 13th at the 9/27 Iona MOC.
Meets: 10/10 New Englands, 11/1 America East (Albany), 11/15
NE Reg (Boston)
Returnees: Dina Mijuskovic (4:36, 9:56); Jessica Iannacci (5:03.54i, 17:16.03),
Julie Nazzer (11:07.07s/c)
Newcomer:
--. Brown
University
The Bears finished 7th at last year's NCAA
NE regional. Meredith Crocker is
expected to lead the Bears. Brown
finished 3rd behind Providence and Boston College at the 9/12 BC select meet
and 5th at the 9/27 Iona MOC, behind Princeton, Yale, Pittsburgh, and
Dartmouth; Anna Willard led the Bears in Boston and New York.
Meets: 10/10 NE Champs, 10/31 HEPs (NYC), 11/15 NE Champs
(Boston)
Returnees: Meredith Crocker, Anna Willard, Nora Sullivan, Kristin Ware, Anya
Davidon
Newcomers: Michol Monaghan, Heather Driscoll, Kathleen Loughlin
--.
Cal-Santa Barbara
UC Santa Barbara finished 2nd at the Big
West Champs and 8th at regionals in 2002.
UCSB took the 9/19 Riverside Invite with Desiree Leek leading a
36-second 1-5 gap.
Returnees: Desiree Leek (4:33.18), Cosette Smith (16:44.18), Desiree DeJesus
(17:05.30), Tiffany DeJesus, Lauren Christman (4:36.89), Lindsay Christman,
Stephanie Rothstein (17:47.01),
Newcomers: Bethany Nickless (10:44.50y)
--. Cornell
Cornell finished 6th at the 2002 NE
regional. Mandy Knuckles, Nyam Kagwima, Megs DiDario, Natalie Gingerich, and
Angela Kudla combined to help edge Army in a 26-33 dual meet at Cornell on
9/12. The Big Red claimed 7th at
the 9/27 Iona MOC, with Knuckles leading a 49-second 1-5 spread.
Meets: 10/4 Paul Short, 10/18 PnSt, 10/24 Reif Memorial,
10/31 HEPs (NYC), 11/15 NE Reg (Boston)
Returnees: Kate Boyles (10th '00 FL), Jessica Parrott (156th '01), Kari Haus
(168th '01), Christy Planer (4:58.61y, 11:03.52y), Angela Kudla ('00 FL; NY
"B" champ), Emily McCabe (9:54, 17:36), Alyssa Simon (10:48s/c),
Sarah Coseo (4:30, 9:58); Redshirting: Amber McGown (170th '01; semester in
France), Jenn Meil (semester in Equador)
Newcomers: Christy Paul (OR state XC Champ, 10:08), Robyn Ellerbrock (7:09 2k
s/c), Megs DiDario, Nyam Kagwima (2:16, 5:01)
--.
Dartmouth
Dartmouth finished 5th at the 2002 NE
regional. Former All-American
Maribel Sanchez replaces Ellen O'Neil (who left for Smith College over the
summer) as cross country coach.
Dartmouth opened with an easy win at the 9/13 Dartmouth Invite, then
finished 4th at the 9/27 Iona MOC behind Princeton, Yale, and Pittsburgh.
Meets: 10/4 Keene St, 10/10 NE Champs, 10/18 Pre-NCAAs,
10/31 HEPs, 11/15 NE Reg (Boston)
Returnees: Nicole Kelleher (182nd '01), Kristen Ettensohn (199th '01), Cecily
Garber (206th '01), Kristin Andrews, Megan Olds (2:13.3), Melanie Schorr, Betsy
Burke, Tessa Steele
Newcomer: Vanessa Cruz
--. Idaho
The Vandals finished 6th at last fall's West regional. Letiwe Marakurwa, 4th in
the NCAA steeple, leads Idaho in their quest for a berth. The Vandals opened with a win at the
Idaho Jamboree, then finished 2nd to Washington at the 9/27 Sundodger
meet. Marakurwa finished 3rd to
lead Idaho to a 71-sec 1-5 spread in Seattle.
Meets: 10/18 Pre-NCAAs, 11/1 Big West, 11/15 West Regionals
Returnees: Letiwe Marakurwa (ZIM; 4th NCAA s/c;
9:52s/c), Daniela Pogorzelski (GER; 2:09, 4:25, 10:32s/c), Tania Vader
Meulen (CAN; 10:44s/c), Bevin Kennelly (CAN; 2x Canadian Jr steeple champ),
Alisha Murdoch (2:12)
Newcomers: Mandy Macalister (CAN; WJrXC, BC Jr 5k Champ), Dee Olson (4:35),
Melinda Ouwerkerk, Kendra Colyar
--.
Minnesota
The Gophers finished a non-qualifying 5th
at last year's NCAA regional meet, but return almost the entire squad. Unfortunately for Coach Gary Wilson
that exception is '02 NCAA individual qualifier Darja Vasiljeva (87th) who will
be sidelined this season with an October surgery for her left hamstring. In her absence, Minnesota opened with
easy wins over the fields at the 9/6 Intrasquad and 9/13 Oz Memorial, then a
19th-place finish at Griak..
Redshirt frosh Emily Brown is leading the team with wins at their first
two meets.
Meets: 10/3 IoSt, 10/18 Pre-NCAA, 11/2 Big Ten (MiSt), 11/15
MW Reg (Stillwater)
Returnees: Lisa Dyer (111th '01), Laura Bjork (133rd '01), Krista Anderson
(186th '01, 227th '00), Anita Menden (213th '01, 165th '00), Carly Emil (4:55,
10:37), Jenny Hess (2x Mn A XC champ), Emily Brown ('01 Wisc XC runner-up), Amy
Lindner (SD champ); Injured: Darja Vasiljeva (87th, 86th '01, 46th '00),
Newcomers:
--. New
Hampshire
The Wildcats feature a strong foursome in
Leslie Read, Caitlin Hayes, Megan Hepp, and Katie Litwinowich but are searching
for a fifth. UNH finished third
behind Providence and Rhode Island at the 9/5 Providence Invite with
Litwinowich on the sidelines, but then won the 9/20 Central Connecticut Inv.
Meets: 10/4 Murray Keating, 11/10 New Englands, 11/1 America
East, 11/15 NE Reg (Boston)
Returnees: Leslie Read (5:01.58y), Caitlin Hayes (10:04.49i, 36:08.34), Megan
Hepp (10:07.44i, 10:38s/c, 16:56.65), Katie Litwinowich (2:11.58, 2:53.59i 1k,
4:29.87), Alison March
Newcomers: Emily Mareb, Ashley Vance
--.
Northwestern
The Wildcats finished 30th at the 2002
NCAA meet. Northwestern finished
23rd at Griak and was led by Diana Hossfield.
Meets: 10/4 Cowboy Jamboree, 10/18 Pre-NCAAs, 11/2 Big Ten (MiSt), 11/15 MW Reg
(Stillwater)
Returnees: Diana Hossfield (162nd), Emily Blakslee (204th), Kyna Forkins
(232nd), Nora Colligan
Newcomers: Katie Romaine, Casey Shea, Jama Bernard
--. Oregon
The Ducks begin a new era this fall,
competing for the first time without long-time mentor Tom Heinonen at the helm;
Marnie Mason is the new Oregon coach.
The Ducks claimed 4th at the 9/27 Sundodger Inv behind Magdalena
Sandoval's runner-up finish.
Meets: 10/18 Willamette Open, 11/01 Pac-10 (WaSt), 11/15
West Reg (Portland)
Returnees: Laura Harmon (4:29.49, 17:12.04), Eri Macdonald (2:06.37, 4:25.81),
Magdalena Sandoval (16:45.91, 36:30.65), Alicia Snyder-Carlson (10:57.72s/c),
Annette Mosey (4:35.78)
Newcomers: none of note
--.
Pittsburgh
NCAA individual qualifier Maureen
McCandless leads Pitt (15th at the '02 regional), which edged West Virginia
27-28 at the 9/6 Duquesne duals.
Pittsburgh finished a distant 3rd at the 9/26 Iona MOC, behind Princeton
and Yale.
--. Portland
Portland, sans #1 Nicole Ricci, finished
3rd at the 9/27 Sundodger Inv behind Washington and Idaho.
Meets: 10/4 Willamette, 11/01 WCC, 11/15 West Reg (Port)
Returnees: Nicole Ricci (56th '00; 9:28, 16:34), Alison Smith (4:36), Hannah
Coombe (17:49)
Newcomers: Ashley Vincent (x-fer from W. Wash; 16:59), Breanne Siebol (Wa AA
champ)
--. Rice
The Owls won the WAC title last fall. Rice easily dominated the 9/13 Rice
Invitational, with Kate Gorry leading 5 Owls among the top 7 finishers. The Owls then finished 3rd behind Texas
A&M and Texas Christian at the 9/20 A&M Invite; Gory claimed runner-up
honors.
Meets: 10/3 Islander Open, 10/18 Pre-NCAAs, 11/1 WAC (San
Jose), 11/15 SC Reg (Baylor)
Returnees: Kate Gorry (17:03), Tanya Wright (4:28), Shannon Murto (4:34),
Whitney McAlpine (36:45), Brandi Armstrong (4:39), Megan Sandler (4:32), Lauren
Murphy (5:12y, 10:45)
--. Stony
Brook
The Sea Wolves finished 8th in NE
regional. Jackie Nunez will lead
Stony Brook. Nunez and Leonora Joy
finished 1-2 to lead Stony Brook to a win at their own 9/6 Seawolves Invite.
Meets: 10/3 METs (NYC), 10/18 Lafayette Inv, 11/1 America
East (Albany), 11/15 NE Reg (Boston)
Returnees: Jackie Nunez, Leonora Joy (2nd NZL XC Champs; 2:11.92, 4:25,
9:27.01), Laura Hixson, Lauren Gengo
Newcomers: Liz Carlson
--. Texas
The 'Horns improved to claim 22nd in Terre
Haute last fall. Talis Apud-Martinez should lead Texas this fall, but most
likely won't race until at least Pre-NCAAs since she's recovering from
injuries. The 'Horns won the 9/13
Texas St Inv, then a "B" squad finished 9th at the 9/20 A&M meet.
Meets: 10/4 TxSt Classic, 10/18 Pre-NCAAs, 10/31 Big 12s
(Texas), 10/15 SC Reg (Baylor)
Returnees: Talis Apud-Martinez (36th, 153rd '01), Sarah Ross (190th), Jodi
Jones (233rd), Katie Scarlett (237th), Evelyn Dwyer, Erin Budd, Dee Dee Cortez
Newcomers: Brooke Stewart, Grace Ann Nathanson
--. Texas
A&M
The Aggies claimed 3rd at regionals. A&M easily won their 9/20 invite,
then finished 10th at Great American.
Meets: 10/18 Pre-NCAAs, 11/1 Big 12 (Texas), 11/15 SC Reg
(Baylor)
Returnees: Meredith Crane, Sarah Steadman (191st '00), Katherine King, Landra
Stewardson, Candice Kolb, Stacy (Cusimano) Garrity, Tamara Budija (9:50),
Vanessa Kelly
Newcomers: Jamie Geissler (11th FL), Katie Hummel (10:25), Lauren Mewhinney
--. Virginia
The Cavaliers finished 20th in 2002 and
should be led by Jane Maxwell (75th).
An under-strength UVa squad finished 4th at the 9/13 Lou Onesty meet
behind Duke, William & Mary, and a strong Richmond squad. Angie Saterstad and Jane Maxwell led
the Cavaliers to 7th at Great American.
Meets: 10/4 GMU Inv, 10/18 Pre-NCAA, 11/1 ACC (Wake Forest),
11/15 SE Reg (Greenville, NC)
Returnees: Jane Maxwell (75th), Megan McGarvey (152nd, 96th '01), Kara Scanlin
(154th), Sharon O'Connor (149th), Delany Moje (4:58.21y), Emily Hampson, Jolene
Hampson
Newcomers: Angie Saterstad (9:49.91), Meghan Hughes (10:03, 10:45y), Janine
Ricci (5:03.5y, 10:20.24)
--. Weber
State
Weber finished 5th in the competitive
Mountain Region last fall. The
Wildcats finished 2nd to a BYU mostly "B" squad at the 9/13 BYU Autm
Classic, with Heidi Bouwhuis, Janae Johnson, Lindsey Olson, Caroline Pebley,
and Cheryl Jolly scoring for Weber.
Heidi Bouwhuis led the Wildcats to a 17th-place finish at Griak.
Meets: 10/4 Montana Inv, 10/18 Pre-NCAAs, 11/01 Big Sky
(IdSt), 11/15 Mtn Reg (Weber St)
Returnees: Rebecca Bennion (33rd '01; 4:21 '01, 9:54 s/c '01, 16:07 '01; 2nd
'01 s/c), Heida Bouwhuis (4:41, 10:42 s/c), Janae Johnson (201st '01; 17:30),
Caroline Pebley (4:38, 10:41 s/c), Ashley Winter (16:51)
Newcomer: Jenny Packer (5:14y, 11:30y), Lindsey Olson (UT 3A champ), Jamie
Stubbs (UT 5A champ)
--. West
Virginia
Megan Metcalfe (9th) leads West Virginia,
which finished 4th at regionals last year. The Mountaineers lost to Pitt at the 9/6 Duquesne Duals then
won the 9/27 Pre-regional meet at Lock Haven.
Meets: 10/4 Paul Short, 10/18 Pre-NCAAs, 10/31 Big East
(NYC), 11/15 Mid Atlantic Reg (Lock Haven)
Returnees: Megan Metcalfe, Tara Struyk
--. Yale
Following the graduation of Kate and Laura
O'Neill, Yale will be in a rebuilding mode this year. Rebecca Hunter and Melissa Donais are
expected to lead the Bulldogs.
Yale finished a distant third at the 9/13 Georgetown Invite and a
distant 2nd at the 9/26 Iona MOC behind Ivy-rival Princeton. Donais led Yale at Iona, which spread
out over 72-sec for their 1-5 runners.
Meets: 10/4 Y-H-P (Boston), 10/18 Pre-NCAAs, 10/31 HEPs,
11/15 NE Reg (Boston)
Returnees: Rebecca Hunter, Melissa Donais ('99 FL; '02 Millrose Mile champ),
Alexandra Sawicki (171st '01), Julia Pudlin (8th FL '00; 10:27.51y), Emily
Vince, Hannah Oberman-Breindl, Katie Matlack
Newcomer: Cara Kiernan (14th FL), Catie Markesich, Katie DeWitt, Ashley
Campbell, Jackie Myers, Julia Emanuelle