Volume CXXXII, Number 5 October 18, 2002 f

Muddy runnin' for XC
GRACE CHO
STAFF WRITER

Although muddy and rainy conditions slowed down the field at Franklin Park, the Bowdoin Women's Cross Country team embraced the not-so-ideal conditions and showed some Division I schools just how tough Division III can be.

"It was rainy and muddy, but everyone who raced did well…we ran our best times of the season," said senior co-captain Libby Barney.

Unable to field a complete team for the Open New England Championships, the six women to compete pushed for personal best times on the hilly Franklin Park course. Still, senior co-captain Bre McKenna could feel a difference without the support of the whole team.

"It was a great meet and there were some great performances, but the absence of the majority of the team was felt," said McKenna. "But it just goes to show what a great team you have when you miss the girls that much."

The women's team is gearing up and getting excited about the next few races coming. Only two weeks away from entering the postseason, head coach Peter Slovenski predicts a strong showing by the women. Judging off of the performances from Open New Englands, the women appear to be running spectacularly on tired legs.

"We haven't eased up on any of our training, so they're running very fast on high mileage and heavy training," said Slovenski.

Though the prospects look to be in favor for the women as they enter NESCAC, ECAC, and Division III championships within the next four weeks. NESCAC's will be the first postseason race for the Polar Bears and will be hosted by Tufts University.