Analysis of the 2004 NCAA Division I Women's Cross Country Coaches' Poll

by Mike Scott,

University of Rhode Island

Updated: 24 October

For the 8th 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 2003 NCAA D-1 XC Championships at the University of Northern Iowa, unless otherwise noted. Performances are from the 2003-04 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

10/16 Weekend:

Stanford women dominated the Pre-NCAA women's field, running away with the "Blue" race despite not racing Sara Bei and heading the unofficial combined scoring; Notre Dame, UNC, Missouri, and BYU claimed the rest of the top five spots in that section. Colorado downed Michigan 94-109 to win the Pre-NCAA "White" race, with Arizona State, NC State, and Michigan State rounding out the top five. Colorado's Renee Metivier, the 2001 NCAA individual runner-up at Furman, recorded the day's fastest time in the "White" race with NCAA steeple champ Ida Nilsson second in that section. Two-time NCAA 10k champ Alicia Craig comfortably won the "Blue" race in the day's 5th-fastest time, but appeared to be in control.

Providence College downed Duke at the Penn State Invitation; NCAA favorite Kim Smith romped away from the field while teammate Mary Cullen recorded a strong runner-up performance. West Virginia edged Boston College for 3rd, while Cornell edged host Penn State for 5th.

Southern Methodist downed host Arkansas at a subdued Chili Pepper Festival following the deaths of three workers who were electrocuted when the tent they were setting up made contact with live powerlines.

Next Up:

The nation's best teams line up again for their conference championships. One of the best matchups of the weekend will occur Friday when Providence and Notre Dame square off at the Big East championships. The ACCs will be a dog fight, as usual, with Duke, UNC, NC State, and Wake Forest squaring off on Saturday. Stanford should dominate the Pac-10, while Michigan should take the Big 10 meet. Colorado appears to be the class of the Big 12, while BYU should win the Mountain West Conference. Tennessee is favored over Georgia and Arkansas in the SEC. Lots of other exciting conference clashes are on schedule!

TOP THIRTY TEAMS

1. Stanford (West)
2003 NCAA harrier bronze medallist Sara Bei and 2003-2004 NCAA 10,000 champ Alicia Craig return to lead all seven members back from the 2003 NCAA championship squad. Joining two-time Pac-10 champ Bei and 8-time All-American Craig are All-Americans Katy Totter and Ari Lambie, World Cross Country team member Amanda Trotter, as well as Jeane Goff and Anita Siraki. Also returning from the 2003 squad is Teresa McWalters, who ran amongst the team's scorers in the early season until she was sidelined by injuries. Footlocker finalists Katie Harrington and Lindsay Flacks lead an amazing frosh class that includes national high school steeple record holder Lindsay Allen, Minnesota champ Shannon Bergstedt, and Maryland champ Lauren Centrowitz.

Despite holding out Bei, Craig, Lambie, and McWalters, the Cardinal perfect-scored the field (which included UCLA) at the 9/4 USF Invitational, with Siraki getting the nod as K. Trotter, Bergstedt, Flacks, and A. Trotter all finished within 2.1 seconds of Siraki. Three weeks later, Stanford won both the long and short course events at their own 9/25 invite. In the 4K, Bei smoked the course in 13:16 to lead Bergstedt and K. Trotter to a 1-2-3 sweep of the field, including SMU's Van Rooyen; that threesome combined with Centrowitz and Goff for a 54-sec 1-5 split. In the Stanford 6K, Siraki, McWalters, A. Trotter, and J. Allen claimed 1-2-3-4 over the field and combined with O'Neil for a 1:43 1-5 split. At the 10/1 Notre Dame Invite, Bei;s and Craig's 1-3 finish in the deepest invite of the young season lead the Cardinal to an easy 34-84 win over runner-up Michigan; Bei smoked the notoriously fast course in 16:22, with Craig in 16:34, Katy Trotter in 16:52, Siraki in17:02, and Amanda Trotter in 17:08 for a 46-second 1-5 split off one of the best runners in the country. Bergstedt and Goff covered the course in 17:09 and 17:18 respectively. The Cardinal dominated the Pre-NCAA Blue race (and the unofficial combined scoring) despite running without Bei; in Bei's absence, Craig pulled away from the Blue field to win with the 5th fastest time of the day and led Siraki, K. Trotter, McWalters, and A. Trotter to a 55-sec spread; Centrowitz and Goff rounded out Stanford's lineup.
Returnees: Sara Bei (3rd, 57th '02, 89th '01; '00 FL Champ), Alicia Craig (6th; 3rd '02, 28th '01; '03 & '04 NCAA 10K champ), Katy Trotter (21st; 2nd '02 FL), Ari Lambie (24th, 22nd '02 FL), Amanda Trotter (92nd), Jeane Goff (102nd; 128th '02), Anita Siraki (130th, 110th '02; 2nd '00 FL), Teresa McWalters, Julie Allen (11th '01 FL)
Newcomers: Lindsay Allen (2:31.1, 4:54.55, 10:35.83, 10:40.62sc NHSR), Shannon Bergstedt (4:48.58y, 10:24.29y), Lauren Centrowitz (4:53.79y), Lindsay Flacks (24th FL; 10:24.14), Katie Harrington (4th FL; 4:56.41, 10:36.03), Katie O'Neil

2. Providence (Northeast)
The Friars' 1-2 punch of 2003 NCAA runner-up Kim Smith and 5th-placer Mary Cullen actually bettered Stanford's amazing duo, and the Friars return their top 4 and 6 of 7 from their 2003 NCAA bronze medallist squad. Smith dominated the collegiate distance scene during the spring, setting collegiate records enroute to runaway victories in the 3000 and 5000 indoors, and added a CR and NCAA title at 5000 outdoors before representing her native New Zealand at the Athens' Olympics. Cullen, on the other hand, missed most of the indoor and all of the outdoor season with injuries -- but has already notched a swift run at Van Cortlandt during the 9/11 Fordham Invite.. Deirde Byrne, Fiona Crombie, Katie Twarog, and Ashley Jensen also return from last year's 3rd-place finish in Waterloo.

The Friars dominated with easy wins at their own 9/3 meet as well as the 9/11 Fordham Invite. Providence then easily won the 9/25 Griak Invite, with Smith debuting with and easy win over two-time D-3 champ and Olympi Trials 5000 finalist Missy Buttry. Smith, Cullen (who claimed 4th), Crombie, Byrne, and Twarog split 1:49 over 6K. Smith and Cullen finished 1-2 individually at the 10/16 Penn State meet to lead PC to a win over Duke, West Virginia, Boston College, Cornell, Penn State and 35 other teams; PC recorded a 1:49 1-5 spread off NCAA individual favorite Smith with Crombie, Byrne, and Twarog combining with the front-running duo. Given Colorado's strong run at Pre-NCAAs, PC will need to tighten up their 4th and 5th runners to nail down runner-up honors behind Stanford.
Returnees: Kim Smith (NZL; 2nd), Mary Cullen (IRE; 5th), Deirde Byrne (IRE; 54th), Fiona Crombie (NZL; 72nd), Katie Twarog (199th), Ashley Jensen (241st)
Newcomers: Jane Nalder (NZL)

3. Colorado (Mountain)
The Buffs finished 5th in Waterloo, thanks to All-American performances by Renee Metivier and Toedebusch. In addition to Metivier, the 2001 NCAA XC runner-up while at Georgia Tech, and Toedebusch, Sara Slattery (nee Gordon), the '03 5K indoor champ, and Natalie Florence, 18th at the '02 NCAA harrier meet, also return with past All American kudos. The Buffalos also add Foot Locker finalist Liza Pasciuto and standout Amber Smith. At the Rocky Mountain Shootout, Metivier, Bolf, Florence, Amber Smith, and Pasciuto combined for a 1:58 split over the approximately 6K course; the Zeigle twins raced, but were non-factors. Metivier demonstrated that she will be a contender for the individual title, winning the Pre-NCAA white race convincingly with the fastest time of the day to lead the Buffs to win their race and 2nd in the unofficial combined standings; Metivier combined with Bolf, Florence, Smith, and Pasciutta for a 81-second 1-5 split. The Wildcards for Colorado are Slattery and Toedebusch; with those two fit and racing, they could give Stanford a run for the team title.
Returnees: Renee Metivier (15th; 2nd '01), Kalin Toedebusch (38th; 67th '02, 95th '01), Christine Bolf (66th; 186th '02), Laura Zeigle (88th; 3rd '00 FL, '01 USA Jr Champ), Natalie Florence (138th; 22nd '02, 100th '01), Kendall Grgas-Wheeler (202nd), Jackie Zeigle (219th; 138th '02, 7th '01 FL); Returning from Injury: Sara Slattery (nee Gorton (missed '03 for surgery for posterior tibialis in right leg;10th '01, 8th '00; ind 5k champ, 3rd out 5k), Shanna Sparks, Erika Odlaug (2nd '01 FL; 17th '01 World XC; 10:35.13y '02)
Newcomers: Liza Pasciuto (29th FL), Amber Smith

4. Michigan (Great Lakes)
Michigan opened with easy wins over Arkansas and West Virginia at the 9/11 Indiana State Invite, Walter, Pizzo, Parker, Feldkamp, and Gaydos combined for a 78-sec 1-5 spread. At the non-scoring 9/17 Spartan Invite, they packed Walter, Pizzo, Parker, and Gaydos into a 38-sec 1-5 split. Michigan then followed this up with a runner-up team finish to top-rated Stanford at the 10/1 Notre Dame Invite; Walter, Pizzo, Kohlmeier, Parker, and Feldkamp combined for a 46-second 1-5 gap. Walter led the Wolverines to 2nd in the Pre-NCAA white race behind Colorado with her 4th-place individual performance; Walter, Parker, Kohlmeier, Pizzo, and Erdman combined for a 59-sec 1-5 split.

Returnees: Rebecca Walter (18th, 51st '02, 25th WXCJr), Sarah Pizzo (52nd), Katie Erdman (120th), Andrea Parker (192nd, 159th '02), Ana Gjesdal (222nd), Jackie Gaydos, Theresa Feldkamp, Arianne Field,
Newcomers: Alyson Kohlmeier

5. Duke University (Southeast)
The Blue Devils finished 20th at the 2003 NCAA championships, with all seven returning from the NCAA squad: Paige Miller, Sally Meyerhoff, Natasha Roetter, Lindsay Van Alstine, Laura Stanley, Shannon Rowbury, Phebe Ko and gaining graduate transfer Ali Henderson, an All-American from regional foe William & Mary. This fall, middle-distance specialist Shannon Rowbury has been on fire, winning the first three meets that she contested. Duke finished a close second to Wake Forest at the WFU relays, then ran away with the 9/18 Aztec Invite by scoring 18 points with a 63-sec 1-5 split. Rowbury's win at Great American helped lift the Blue Devils over the field, with Rowbury, Meyerhoff, Roetter, Ko, and Henderson combining for a 83-sec 1-5 split. Rowbury suffered her first loss at the 10/16 Penn State Inv to Providence's Kim Smith and Mary Cullen, but given that the PC duo finished 2-5 at last fall's NCAA champs, there's no shame in that! Rowbury led her team to a close second to PC at Penn State; she combined with Meyerhoff, Roetter, Ferguson, and Ko for a 53-sec 1-5 gap over 6K.
Returnees: Paige Miller (80th), Sally Meyerhoff (107th; 163rd '02), Natasha Roetter (112th), Lindsay Van Alstine (159th), Laura Stanley (177th; 195th '02), Shannon Rowbury (226th; 119th '02); Phebe Ko (200th)
Newcomers: Ali Henderson (30th; Grad x-fer from William & Mary)

6. Notre Dame (Great Lakes)
Despite a sub-par 10th-place effort in Waterloo, Notre Dame returns the formidable duo of Molly Huddle and Lauren King as well as Stephanie Madia, Kerry Meagher, and Jean Marinangeli. Madia led her teammates to an easy win at the 9/17 National Catholic Inv, with Madia, Olding, Marinangeli, Webster, and DeRusso combining for a 65-sec 1-5 split. The Irish next claimed third behind top-rated Stanford and regional foe Michigan, with Huddle splitting Stanford's Sara Bei and Alicia Craig and leading Meagher, Madia, Olding, and Marinangeli to a 95-sec 1-5 split; Lauren King did not appear. Lauren King did debut at Pre-NCAAs while Huddle's individual 3rd-place finish led the Irish to runner-up honors in the Pre-NCAA blue race behind Stanford; Huddle, Madia, Meagher, Olding, and Lauren King split 74-sec for 6K.
Returnees: Lauren King (28th, 19th '02, 27th '01), Molly Huddle (41st, 6th '02, 4th '01 FL; 15:32.55; 3rd ind/out NCAA 5K), Stephanie Madia (111th, 78th '02, 23rd '01 FL), Kerry Meagher (169th), Jean Marinangeli (240th), Loryn King (76th '01), Amy Kohlmeier (CAN, 2nd '02 CAN Jr XC)
Newcomers: Sunni Olding (5th FL), Katie DeRusso (10:06 3k),

7. North Carolina (Southeast)
Eighth at the 2003 NCAA harrier meet, the Tarheels return six of their top seven but will definitely feel the loss of team leader Shalane Flanagan, two-time individual NCAA champ. UNC easily dominated their 9/18 UNC Challenge, with Erin Donohue and Carol Henry finishing together and combining with Meghan Owen, Jennie Sucher, and Jessica Perry for a 71-sec 1-5 split. Henry's and Donohue's 2-3 finish at Great American was not enough to over come Duke's depth at the 10/1 Great American with the Tar Heel's falling to 2nd, with Henry, Donohue, Owen, Sucher, and Perry splitting 74-seconds. UNC finished 3rd in the Pre-NCAA blue race off Henry's individual runner-up honors; Henry, Donohue, Owen, Schmidt, and Sucher split 76-sec for 6K.

Returnees: Carol Henry (7th, 38th '01; '02 7th s/c, 3rd '01 s/c), Erin Donohue (31st, 91st '02, 60th '01), Megan Kaltenbach (157th; 20th '02 FL), Meghan Owen (170th, 8th '02 FL), Kristin Stroupe (195th), Jessica Perry (248th)

8. Arizona State (West)
Arizona State claimed a 14th-place finish at last year's NCAA champs. The Sun Devils return seven from last year's NCAA squad, including All American's Amy Hastings and Desi Davilla, as well as Anna Masinelli, Corey Randell, Liz Lindgren, Jenna Wrieden, and Jessica Crate and add North Carolina transfer Victoria Jackson. ASU swept the top six individual places at their opener at the Dave Murray Inviaitional. The Sun Devils then claimed second behind Providence at the 9/25 Griak Invite, with Hastings, Davila, Jackson, Masinelli, and Ellison splitting 79-sec over 6K. Hastings led through 3K in the Pre-NCAA white race before holding on for 3rd behind Colorado's Metivier and Northern Arizona's Ida Nilsson; Hastings, Davila, Jackson, Masinelli, and Ellison split 1:43 to grab 3rd in the white section behind Colorado and Michigan.
Returnees: Amy Hastings (25th, 92nd '02, 20th '03 WJrXC), Desi Davilla (44th, 150th, 205th '01), Anna Masinelli (87th, 157th '02), Corey Randell (168th), Liz Lindgren (188th, 223rd '02), Jenna Wrieden (220th), Jessica Crate (252nd)
Newcomers: Victoria Jackson (Grad x-fer from North Carolina)

9. Missoui (Midwest)
The Tigers finished 12th last fall at the NCAA meet. All-American Amanda Bales leads the returnees, which include Serena Ramsey, Jill Petersen, Valerie Lauver, and Kristin Hansen, while Foot Locker finalist Maddie Schueler appears to be making an immediate impact. The Tigers opened with a win at the 9/11 Missouri Challenge, with Peterson, Schueler, Ramsey, Patten, and Bales splitting 32-seconds. Mizzou won the 9/18 Woody Greeno Invite, with Schueler, Petersen, Kate Greer, Kate Bundy, and Lauver combining for a 59-sec 1-5 split over 6K. The Tigers finished fourth behind Stanford, Michigan, and Notre Dame at the 10/1 Notre Dame Invite, with Bales, Ramsey, Petersen, Hanson, and Patten splitting 57 seconds, with frosh Schueler finishing a tick behind Patten. Bales, Peterson, Ramsey, Schueler, and Hanson split 1:47 for the Pre-NCAA blue race to give Mizzou 4th behind Stanford, Notre Dame, and UNC.
Returnees: Amanda Bales (23rd; 53rd '02), Serena Ramsey (51st; 172nd '02), Jill Petersen (94th), Valerie Lauver (117th; 54th '02, 8th '01 FL; USA Jr WXC), Kristin Hansen (210th), Kate Bundy, Kate Greer
Newcomers: Maddie Schueler (28th FL)

10. North Carolina State (Southeast)
The Wolfpack claimed 6th at the NCAA Championships and return Julia Lucas, Kristina Roth, Josi Lauber, and Amy Arnold from that squad. NC State only ran a partial squad in the ROC at 10/1 Great American and finished 6th behind Duke, North Carolina, Georgia, BYU, and D-II powerhouse Adams State; Nelkie, Swain, Lauber, Wheeler, and Brown split 29-seconds, with Boyd and Roth a few seconds behind. However, in the open race, Julia Lucas paced teammates Angelina Blackmon and Amy Kelly (all three running unattached, along with Magin Kebert and Christina Fidducia) to top-5 times for NC State -- and it appeared to be a tempo-like effort for Lucas. Lucas claimed ninth in the Pre-NCAA white race to lead her team to 4th behind Colorado, Michigan, and Arizona State; Lauber, Nelkie, Kelly, and Swain combined with Lucas for a 61-sec 1-5 split for 6K.
Returnees: Julia Lucas (79th; 205th '02, '03 WXC), Kristina Roth (86th; 65th '02), Josi Lauber (97th; 70th '02, 173rd '01), Amy Arnold (142nd), Sara Powell (inj '03; 21st '02 FL), Jennifer Boyd ('02 VA champ), Ginger Wheeler, Erina Swain (16:56), Kelly Brown
Newcomers: Angelina Blackmon (32nd FL), Magin Kebert (4:27/9:51)

11. Michigan State (Great Lakes)
The Spartans opened at home with a non-scoring meet against Michigan on 9/17; standout frosh Danette Doetzel, a member of this year's Canadian junior squad at the World Cross Country Champs, won the event ahead of Michigan's Walter, with Kelly, Mush, Raffery, and Senakiewich combining with Doetzel for a 88-sec 1-5 split over 6K. Michigan State then claimed 5th behind Stanford, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Missouri, with Doetzel claiming 6th and leading Kelly, Rafferty, Bush, and Senakiewich to a 61-sec 1-5 spread. Doetzel continued her excellent fall season, claiming 6th in the Pre-NCAA race to lead the Spartans to 5th behind Colorado, Michigan, Arizona State, and NC State; Doetzel, Kelly, Rafferty, Ballard, and Bush combined for a 1:40 spread over 6K.
Returnees: Natalie Stein (164th, 173rd '02, 147th '01), Brittany Ballard (187th, 240th '02), Michelle Rafferty (232nd), Leigha Christian
Newcomers: Danette Doetzel (CAN WXCJr), Katie Kelly, Nicole Bush, Lisa Senakiewich

12. Brigham Young (Mountain)
BYU's Cougars won NCAA harrier crowns in 1997, 1999, 2001, and 2002, but met their Waterloo in, well, Waterloo last November when they succumbed to Stanford in a close, hard-fought battle. However, following the unfortunate season-ending accident to team leader Kassi Anderson (suffered a broken left elbow and broken left hip when run over by a trailer in a September 4 mountain bike vs vehicle accident), Cougar mentor Patrick Shane will need to work some magic to return four-time BYU to the top of the podium in 2004. Laura Turner, Suzanna (nee Larsen) Logan, Lisa Antonelli-Pratt, and Amber Harper all return from last year's silver medal winning squad along with Rena Williams-Chessar who ran at regionals and Mountain West, while sophomores Anne Heiner, Lisa Frischnecht, and Julie Cameron hope to step up to help continue BYU's legacy. Newcomer Heidi Magill has been an immediate contributor.

Heiner led the Cougars at the 9/3 Alumni Classic, while Chessar ran away with the 9/11 Autumn Classic. Laura Turner debuted at Great American to lead a BYU squad sans Logan, Harper, and Antonelli-Pratt (the latter of which ran fast enough in the Open race to make BYU's top 5) to fourth behind Duke, North Carolina, and surprising Georgia; Turner combined with Chessar, Magill, Heiner, and Caldwell for a 78-second 1-5 spread. Turner claimed 4th in the Pre-NCAA blue race to lead the Cougars to 5th behind Stanford, Notre Dame, UNC, and Missouri; Turner, Chessar, Magill, Caldwell, and Harper split 89-sec for 6K; Logan also debuted, but was 33-secs behind Harper.

Meets: 10/16 Pre-NCAAs, 10/30 MWC (San Diego), 11/13 Mtn Reg (Co St)
Returnees: Laura Turner (14th; 26th '99, 31st '98), Suzanna Logan (89th), Amber Harper (109th; WXC), Lisa Antonelli-Pratt (113th), Rena Williams-Chessar, Anne Heiner, Lisa Frischnecht, Julie Cameron, Jenna Taylor; Injured, out for 2004 season: Kassi Anderson (7th '02)
Newcomers: Heidi Magill (2:08.74, 4:56.17alt)

13. Southern Methodist (South Central)
SMU appears to be rocketing up the polls this fall not even fielding a team at the SC regional in 2003. Karin Van Rooyen advanced individually to the NCAA champs, where she placed 64th. The Mustangs opened with a win at the 9/11 North Texas Invite over Baylor, then SMU claimed 2nd in the 9/25 Stanford 4K behind the hosts, but ahead of UCLA, with a 55-sec spread between the 4th-place Van Rooyen, Forish, Jackson, Kelleher, Collins. SMU ran away with the Murray Keating Invite, with Van Rooyen winning to lead Forish, Jackson, Kelleher, and Collins to a 46-sec 1-5 split. SMU beat Arkansas by 9 points at the 10/16 Chili Pepper Festival; Van Rooyen, Kelleher, Forish, Jackson, and Rodriquez combined for a 73-sec 1-5 split.
Returnees: Karin Van Rooyen (South Africa; 64th), Rachel Collins, Jessica Jackson,
Newcomers: Rachael Forish (13th FL); Nicole Kelleher (x-fer from Dartmouth), Krystal Rodriquez (9th FL South)

14. Tennessee (South)
The Lady 'Vols claimed 24th last year in Waterloo, then came out swinging this fall. Tennessee opened with a win at the 9/11 Bowling Green Invite. At the 9/25 Paul Short Invite, Tennessee notched a 43-sec 1-5 spread consisting of Novak, Cauble, Guliford, Flaute, and McCalley to win over Villanova. The Lady 'Vols next edged Tennessee-Chattanooga at the 10/1 Tennessee Invite, with Novak, Cauble, Flaute, Matthews, and Sullivan combining for a 96-sec 1-5 split and Guliford and McCalley apparently sitting out. Guilford really stepped up at Pre-NCAAs to claim 12th in the white race leading Tennessee to 6th behind Colorado, Michigan, Arizona State, NC State, and Michigan State; Guilford, Novak, Flaute, McCalley, and Cauble combined for a 56-sec spread over 6K.
Returnees: Brooke Novak (58th; 103rd '02), Elizabeth McCalley (155th; 250th '02), Megan Cauble (166th; 164th '02), Katie Flaute (178th), Mindy Sullivan (200th; 17th '01 FL), Nicole Cook (249th), Felicia Guliford (246th '02; 6th '01 FL),

15. Villanova (Mid Atlantic)
Villanova claimed 11th at last year's NCAA meet. All-Americans Marina Muncan (17th) and Ioana Parusheva (19th) return to lead the Wildcats and are joined by Juliette Kenny, Colleen Taylor, Kirsty Smith from that squad, as well as Liz Gesel and Zita Mezei. Foot Locker 9th-placer Frances Koon is making an immediate impact for the Wildcats. 'Nova claimed second to Tennessee in their season opener at the 9/25 Paul Short meet running without Parusheva; in her absence, Muncan claimed individual runner-up honors to lead Muncan, Mezei, Koons, Taylor, and Gesel to a 1:32 1-5 spread. Parusheva debuted at Pre-NCAAs to help the Wildcats to 7th in the white race behind Colorado, Michigan, Arizona State, NC State, Michigan State, and Tennessee; Muncan, Parusheva, Taylor, Gesel, and Koons combined for a 93-sec spread over 6K.
Returnees: Marina Muncan (Serbia; 17th, 35th '02), Ioana Parusheva (BUL; 19th, 44th '02, 209th '01), Juliette Kenny (136th), Colleen Taylor (174th), Kirsty Smith (194th; 227th '02), Zita Mezei, Liz Gesel (116th '02), Bridget Akard,
Newcomers: Frances Koon (9th FL), Brittney Criscuolo

16. UC Santa Barbara (West)
The Gauchos finished 29th last fall in their first-ever team appearance at the NCAA champs and returned all seven from that squad. UCSB claimed a strong 3rd at the 9/25 Griak meet, with Lauren and Lindsay Christman, Leek, Rothstein, and Smith splitting 60-seconds over 6K. The Gauchos claimed 8th in the Pre-NCAA white race behind Colorado, Michigan, Arizona State, NC State, Michigan State, Tennessee, and Villanova; Lauren Christman, Leek, Rothstein, Lindsay Christman, and Smith split 54-sec over 6K.
Returnees: Lauren Christman (83rd), Cosette Smith (110th), Stephanie Rothstein (123rd), Lindsay Chistman (186th), Megan Lewis (234th), Seanna Martin (245th), Desiree Leek (246th)
Newcomers:

17. Georgia (South)
Third at the South regional and 2nd in the SEC in 2003, the Bulldogs look for an NCAA berth in 2004. Kelly Cordell (55th) returns to lead Georgia. The Bulldogs won the 9/18 Gator Invite before claiming 3rd at the 10/2 Great American behind Duke and North Carolina and ahead of understrength BYU and NC State teams; Jill Steffens, Lauren Burks, Whitni Wonderlin, Kristin Heffelfinger, and Natalie Picchetti split 52-seconds at Great America. Georgia claimed 6th in the Pre-NCAA blue race behind Stanford, Notre Dame, UNC, Missouri, and BYU; Steffens, Burks, Picchetti, Wonderlin, and Heffelinger combined for a 67-sec 1-5 split over 6K.

Returnees: Kelly Cordell (55th)

18. Wake Forest (Southeast)
The Deacons claimed 21st last fall in Waterloo. Wake Forest downed Marquette, Boston College, and the rest of the field at the 9/25 Iona Meet of Champions; Selina Sekulic led Hanna Bremler, Melissa Sherman, Chrisman, and Michelle Sikes to a 28-sec 1-5 split over 6K. The Deacons finished 9th in the Pre-NCAA white race; Bremler, Sekulic, Sikes, Sherman, and Hankinson split 90-sec for 6K.
Returnees: Annie Bersagel (33rd, 25th '02, 57th '01), Erin Franklin (84th, 120th '02), Michelle Sikes (90th; 15th '02 FL), Rachel Mistur (207th), Selina Sekulic (208th)
Newcomers:

19. Princeton (Mid Atlantic)
All-American Cack Ferrell returns to lead Carrie Strickland, Marian Bihrle, and Meredith Lambert back from the Princeton squad that claimed 9th last fall in Waterloo. Ferrell appears to returned to form with a 10th-place individual effort in the Pre-NCAA blue race to lead the Tigers to 7th behind Stanford, Notre Dame, UNC, Missouri, BYU, and Georgia; Ferrell led Swenson, Lambert, Bihrle, and Andrews to a 96-sec split over 6K.
Returnees: Cack Ferrell (22nd), Carrie Strickland (122nd), Marian Bihrle (124th), Meredith Lambert (175th)

20. Arkansas (South Central)
The Arkansas Lady Razorbacks finished 3rd at regionals in 2003 and missed the NCAA championships, a fate they hope to avoid in 2004. The Lady 'Backs will be led by Shilo Whiting, Erica Sigmont, and Penny Splichal this season. Foot Locker finalist Beth Fahey will help bolster their lineup. Arkansas opened with a runner-up performance to Michigan at the 9/11 Indiana State Invite, with Zeinner-Rush, Scott, Smith, Saffa, and Splichal splitting 38-seconds. The Lady 'Backs next claimed 5th behind Providence, Arizona State, UCSB, and Baylor at the 9/25 Griak Invite, with Zeinner-Rush, Smith, Jakosky, Whiting, and Redlarczyk splitting 46-seconds over 6K. Arkansas fell just 9 points short of SMU at their 10/16 Chili Pepper Invite; Zeinner-Rush, Scott, Whiting, Splichal, and Jakosky split 46-seconds for 6K.
Returnees: Shilo Whiting (163rd; 131st '02, '02 USA Jr s/c champ), Erica Sigmont (171st '02), Penny Splichal (75th '01), Maureen Scott (NCAA s/c qualifier), Allison Zeiner-Rush (NCAA 10K qualifier), Laura Jakosky (NCAA 10K qualifier), Sarah Saffa (2nd USA Jr 5000), Tiffany Redlarczyk
Newcomers: Beth Fahey (27th FL; 4:57/10:40), Dacia Barr (2:11/4:56)

21. Indiana (Great Lakes)
Indiana finished 27th in Waterloo and returns Mindy Peterson, Kelly Siefker, Kristin Whitezell, Larra Overton, , Julie Shields, and Heidi Crowley from that squad. Jessica Gall led IU to 8th in the Pre-NCAA blue race with her 15th-place individual effort; Gall, Siefker, Peterson, Whitezell, and Hattendorf split 81-sec for 6K.
Returnees: Mindy Peterson (46th; 59th '02), Kelly Siefker (139th; 247th '02), Kristin Whitezell (215th), Larra Overton (227th), Julie Shields (229th), Heidi Crowley (237th)

22. West Virginia (Mid Atlantic)
West Virginia's Mountaineers finished fifth in their region in 2003. All American Megan Metcalfe and standout Tara Struyk will lead West Virginia. Beat Pitt, Duquesne & St. Joe at the 9/4 Duquesne Duals without Struyk, Plesuk & Kemp, then finished 3rd at the 9/11 behind Michigan and Arkansas, with Metcalfe winning and combining with J. Davis, Kemp, S. Davis, and Plesuk for a 1:49 1-5 gap. The Mountaineers claimed 7th at the 9/25 Griak meet behind Providence, Arizona State, UCSB, Baylor, Arkansas, and Butler; Megan Metcalfe, Tara Struyk, Jennifer Davis, Jennifer Kemp, and Susan Davis combined to split 2:00 for 6K. West Virginia finished 3rd behind Providence and Duke at the 10/16 Penn State invite; Metcalfe, J. Davis, S. Davis, Kemp, and Carden combined for a 2:01 1-5 split.
Returnees: Megan Metcalfe (70th, 9th '02), Tara Struyk (32nd), Jennifer Davis, Jennifer Kemp, Susan Davis, Colleen Hughes, Rachel Carden
Newcomers: Nicole Lemal

23. Idaho (West)
The Vandals finished 6th in the West last year, the first team not to advance to Waterloo. Idaho opened with an easy win at home before winning the 9/18 Sundodger Invite over host Washington; in Seattle, the Vandals grouped Bevin Kennelly, Mandy Macalister, Mary Kamau, Tania Vander Meulen, and Letiwe Marakurwa into a 16-sec 1-5 over 6K. Idaho came out on top of the Huskies again at the 10/2 Willamette Invite, where Kamau won to lead Marakurwa, Macalister, Kennelly, and Olson to a 24-sec 1-5 gap. In their first real test of thet season, the Vandals claimed 9th in the Pre-NCAA blue race; Marakurwa, Kamau, Macalister, Vander Meulen, and Olson combined for a 46-sec 1-5 split.
Returnees: Letiwe Marakurwa (ZIM; 9:52.98 s/c 4th at 2003 NCAA; '02 Big West XC Champ), Tania Vander Meulen (CAN; redshirt 2003; 16th '02 NCAA West Region; 10:27 s/c; 3rd '02 Big West XC), Mandy Macalister (CAN; 17:05/37:05; CAN WXCJr Team), Dee Olson (4:29 1500m); Bevin Kennelly (CAN; 2x CAN Jr s/c champ); Alisha Murdoch (2:12 800m); Mary Kamau (4:17 1500 NCAA qualifier; 800/1500 Big West Champ)
Newcomer: Juliane Smith (11:03 3200m, Alaska State Runner-up 800m, 1600m, 3200m)

24. Colorado State (Mountain)
Nicole Feest, Michelle Carmen, Crystal Clark, Colleen Blair, and Sarah McKay return from the squad that claimed 28th in Waterloo. The Rams finished 10th in the Pre-NCAA white race; Feest, Sarah Loseke, Carmen, Blair, and Rebekah Yetzer split 74-sec for 6K.
Returnees: Nicole Feest (106th), Michelle Carmen (141st), Crystal Clark (160th), Colleen Blair (173rd), Sarah McKay (217th)

25. Boston College (Northeast)
Boston College failed to advance to the NCAA champs in 2003. Two-time All-American and 2002 USA Junior harrier champ Maria Cicero returns from a redshirt year in 2003 to lead the Eagles, where she is joined at the front by former Foot Locker finalist Laurel Burdick. BC opened at the 9/25 Iona Meet of Champs with a 3rd behind Wake Forest and Marquette. The Eagles next claimed 2nd to SMU at the Murray Keating Invite, with Cicero leading Burdick, Lake, Flinn, and Sherman to a 66-sec 1-5 spread. Cicero, Burdick, Lake, Flinn, and Kubeja combined for a 1:39 split at the 10/16 Penn State meet to claim 4th behind Providence, Duke, and West Virginia.

Returnees: Maria Cicero (redshirt '03,18th '02, 16th '01; '02 USA Jr Champ), Laurel Burdick (22nd '01 FL), Anne Hessberg, Alexis Lake, Jesse Mizzone (10:07.5i, 10:44.85, NSIC 5k champ), Jessica Flinn ('01 NH state champ)

26. UCLA (West)
UCLA claimed 7th at last fall's NCAA champs in Waterloo. All-American Ashley Caldwell (36th) leads 5 back from that squad, including Camen Winat, Jenna Timinsky, '04 USA Junior champ Alision Costello, and Allison Hall. The Bruins finished 3rd at the 9/25 Stanford 4K behind Stanford and Southern Methodist; Costello, Timinsky, Caldwell, Rothenburger, and Hall combined for a 41-sec 1-5 split. UCLA next claimed 7th at the 10/1 Notre Dame Invite behind Stanford, Michigan, Notre Dame, Missouri, Michigan State, and William & Mary, with Costello, Timinsky, Caldwell, Halls, and Barrientos combining for a tight 30-sec 1-5 split. Caldwell and Costello led the Buins to 10th in the Pre-NCAA blue race; Caldwell and Costell combined with Rothenburger, Aulet-Leon, and Timinsky for a 23-sec 1-5 split.
Returnees: Ashley Caldwell (36th), Camen Winat (121st, 207th '02), Jenna Timinsky (140th, 206th '02), Alision Costello (153rd; '04 USA Jr Champ), Allison Hall (190th, 224th '02), Alejandra Barrietos
Newcomers: Claire Rethmeier (14th FL), Monika Rothenburger

27. Illinois (Midwest)
Last fall, Cassie Hunt was Illinois' only representative at the NCAA champs, finishing 201st. Hunt finished 7th in the Pre-NCAA white race to lead her teammates to 11th; Hunt combined with Jamie Turilli, Stephanie Simms, Maggie Carroll, and Rachel Hernandez to a 1:55-sec 1-5 split.

28. Columbia (Northeast)
Columbia claimed 13th last year in Waterloo. The Lions return Lisa Stublic, Tenke Zoltani, Delilah DiCresenzo, and Loretta Kilmer from last fall's NCAA meet lineup. Columbia claimed third at the 9/25 Paul Short Invite behind Tennessee with Zoltani leading Ballard, DiCresenzo, Laura Meyers, and Kilmer to a 37-sec 1-5 split. The Lions finished 11th in the Pre-NCAA blue race, with Zoltani, DiCresenzo, Ballard, Stublic, and Meyers splitting 71-sec for 6K.

Returnees: Lisa Stublic (93rd, 144th '02), Tenke Zoltani (156th; 142nd '02), Delilah DiCresenzo (162nd), Loretta Kilmer (179th; 48th '02, 163rd '01), Trish Nolan (inj in '03, 62nd '02, 165th '01)

29. Butler (Great Lakes)
Butler could only claim 9th at last year's Great Lakes regionals, but looks to contend for a NCAA berth in 2004. Victoria Mitchell, Ava Hutchinson, Monica Behney, Genni Gardner, and Monika Schneider split 81-sec for 6K at the 9/25 Griak Invite to claim 6th behind Providence, Arizona State, UCSB, Baylor, and Arkansas. Butler then finished 8th at the 10/1 Notre Dame Invite behind Stanford, Michigan, Notre Dame, Missouri, Michigan State, William & Mary, and UCLA, with Mitchell, Behney, Hutchinson, Schneider, and Beitel combining for a 74-sec 1-5 split. Butler claimed 12th in the Pre-NCAA blue race; Mitchell, Behney, Hutchinson, Schneider, and Gardener split 62-sec for 6K.
Returnees: Victoria Mitchell, Ava Hutchinson, Monica Behney, Monika Schneider, Maria Beitel, Katie Stuckey
Newcomers: Genni Gardner

30. Marquette (Great Lakes)
Marquette claimed runner-up honors at the 9/25 Iona Meet of Champions, with Jodi Jakubek leading Peller, Lindeman, S. Emond, and T. Emond to a 34-second 1-5 spread. Marquette then won the 10/2 Loyola Lakefront Invite, with Jakubek winning the race. Marquette claimed 13rd in the Pre-NCAA blue race; Jakubek, Lindeman, Peller, S. Emond, and T. Emond split 51-sec for 6K.
Returnees: Brianna Dahm (60th), Jodi Jakubek (69th, 98th '02), Michaela Courtney (145th), Susie Edmond (205th, 244th '02), Heidi Lindeman (213th), Terri Edmond,

OTHER TEAMS RECEIVING VOTES:

31. Baylor (South Central)
The Bears finished 25th last fall in Waterloo. The Bears opened with a 2nd place effort to SMU at the 9/11 North Texas Invite, then claimed 4th behind Providence, Arizona State, and UCSB at the 9/25 Griak meet; Brockman, Ortega, Hagans, McGuire, and Bedell split 75-sec over 6K at Griak. Baylor finished 14th in the Pre-NCAA blue race; Brockman, Chance, Ortega, Bedell, and McGuire split 1:37 sec for 6K.

Returnees: Lisa Cornelius (104th), Angela Marvin (125th; '03 USA Jr s/c champ), Monique Ortega (151st), Brittany Brockman (181st; '04 WXC), Jessa Chance (214th)
Newcomers: Alissa McKaig (20th FL), Lindsey Bedell (16th USAJr)

32. Cornell (Northeast)
Cornell finished 5th at the 10/16 Penn State Invite, behind Providence, Duke, West Virginia, and Boston College and just 2 points ahead of Penn State; Boyles, Knuckles, McGowen, Coseo, and McCabe split 75-sec for 6K.

33. Northern Arizona (Mountain)
The Lumberjacks finished 15th in Waterloo, returning NCAA steeple champ Ida Nilsson as well as Erika Edwards, Natalie Rogers, Julie Fisher, and Ariel Latimer. NAU claimed 12th in the Pre-NCAA white race behind Nilsson's runner-up placing; Nilsson, Edwards, Hanifan, Fisher, and Johnson split 2:23 for 6K.
Returnees: Ida Nilsson (9th; 8th '02, 12th '01), Johanna Nilsson (10th, 12th '02; '03 NCAA ind Mile Champ), Erika Edwards (127th; 82nd '02, 143rd '01), Natalie Rogers (172nd), Julie Fisher (218th), Ariel Latimer (242nd)

33. Penn State (Mid Atlantic)
Molly Landreth, Maureen Thomas, Jenny Stevens, Michelle Wale, Chelsea Lenge, and Tracey Brauksieck return from the squad that finished 23rd in Waterloo. The Nittany Lions finished 6th at their own 10/16 invite behind Providence, Duke, West Virginia, Boston College, and Cornell; Landreth, Stevens, Matrunick, Brauksieck, and Bohnsack split 38-sec for 6K.
Returnees: Molly Landreth (56th), Maureen Thomas (131st), Jenny Stevens (143rd), Michelle Wale (147th), Chelsea Lenge (211th), Tracey Brauksieck (224th)