Volume CXXXII, Number 1 September 13, 2002 f

Women's XC up and running
GRACE CHO
STAFF WRITER

With the arrival of fall, the Bowdoin Women's Cross Country team heads into another exciting racing season. In tomorrow's opener, held at the University of New England, the lady Polar Bears hope to make a strong first impression against NESCAC rivals Colby and Bates.

Taking seventh place at last year's New England Division III Championships, returning varsity members have their sights set on a top-five finish and a team qualifying bid for nationals this November.

Captain Bre McKenna '03 (far left) charges ahead last fall. (Courtesy of www.bowdoin.edu)

The women appear to be on the right track to achieve their goal of qualifying. From day one, head coach Peter Slovenski has noticed the team enthusiasm and energy to work towards post season goals. "We've had terrific early season workouts," says Slovenski.

Senior Kym Levine has also noticed a different energy between this year's and last year's team within the first few practices. "Our team looks stronger than last year and with the incoming runners, we will have a lot of depth this season," says Levine.

While strength and depth describe the women's team, they do not begin to address the mix of experience and youth that will bolster the Polar Bear attack. With nine of the top ten runners returning for another season, including All-American Audra Caler '05, a wiser and more experienced team will step out on to the course. However, the women will also look to the youth and fire of nine freshmen to play a role on the varsity squad.
"We have a fantastic group of freshmen and with a strong core of returning runners, we should be very competitive this year," Adds Libby Barney.
Under the leadership of senior captains Libby Barney, Ariel Hanek, Kym Levine, and Bre McKenna, the cross country women look to create some excitement and give running powerhouses Williams and Middlebury a challenge this season.

"The women's team of Bowdoin College is going to surprise a lot of people," Captain Bre McKenna predicts. "I can't wait to see what these women do."