Volume CXXXIII, Number 1 September 7, 2001 f

An optimistic outlook for strong women's cross-country
KRISTEN DUMMER
Staff Writer

The Bowdoin Women's Cross-Country team took an eighth-place finish at last year's regionals. Even with tough competition from the likes of Middlebury and Williams, first- and second-place finishers in the NCAA championships last season, respectively, the Bowdoin women are aiming at a top-five regional spot this fall.

The women's cross-country team practicing in Farley Field House. (John Korstan Moran, Bowdoin Orient)

NESCAC is a competitive division on the cross-country trails. Last year, six teams finished in the top 21 at the NCAA meet. With some top returning runners and a deep field of first years, the Polar Bears hope to make a good showing at the bigger meets.

Crucial to this plan are returners like Libby Barney '03, Kala Hardacker '04, Kate Waller '02, and Bre McKenna '03.

Head Coach Peter Slovenski indicated that he has great confidence in his upperclassmen. "Libby, Kala and Kate give us a lot of experience and intelligence in the top five," he said. "They are smart and resourceful about training and racing."

In addition to the veteran core, a large turnout of first years has bolstered the team. Hardacker said that there is the potential for many of these new recruits to carry themselves to top team spots.

Coach Slovenski agreed. "We have an outstanding class of first-year runners. Ellen Beth and Audra Caler were highly decorated high school runners," he said. "Katie Landry and Marybeth Sexton have also looked very strong in the first workouts."

Workouts are an interesting aspect of this team's training, for they rarely can be seen practicing on or around the Bowdoin campus. They take frequent trips to Popham Beach, a local apple orchard, or to nearby Swan Island. Several runners indicated that this variety of practice courses strengthens their abilities to adjust to many terrains, as well as to heighten their enthusiasm about the sport.

The team had an exciting development recently when Julia Kirkland, former NCAA DIII cross-country champion and Olympics marathon runner, joined the coaching staff this fall. According to Coach Slovenski, Kirtland "…will bring a lot of good spirit and knowledge to the program."

The women "love her high energy and positive attidude," Hardacker added.
This year, Bowdoin has the opportunity to host both the state and NESCAC meets, two of the biggest New England cross-country competitions. In preparation for these events, both the team and school are now working to renovate the current trails.

For their first meet, the women will venture to New York City for a meet on September 22, which pits athletes from all divisions and from all over the nation against one other. The Lady Polar Bears bring their racing home on September 29, when Wesleyan visits for a 10:30 meet.