|
Volume CXXXIII, Number 1 |
 |
Lady runners laced up and ready to race
ALLIE YANIKOSKI
STAFF WRITER
After three and a half months of training separately, Bowdoin's seasoned runners and head coach Peter Slovenski reconvened, starting the year with the annual overnight camping trip at Bald Mountain.
As the athletes barricaded themselves against the cold, Coach Slovenski reminded them to take the memory of this experience of toughing it out, while other rivals were "warm and comfortable in their beds," into the workout and races.
If the women can do just that, then they will have a successful season ahead of them. Last season, the women's team performed very well in postseason by winning the Maine State Meet, placing third at both NESCACs and New England Division III championships, and advancing to the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships. Ten of those women will compete again this season, four of whom raced in the varsity top seven last fall.
"Our team dynamic and [scoring] top five will be very different than last year, as we lost four of our top eight runners," said senior co-captain Kala Hardacker. "Nevertheless, our goal is to be as successful as last year by placing at least third in New England and returning to NCAA's."
The women hope to be as successful with the return of Audra Caler '03, a cross country All-American, Kala Hardacker '04 and Katie Landry '03, who all endured debilitating injuries last fall. After having spent an extensive amount of time cross-training and in physical therapy all three appear healthy entering the season.
"It's great to have Audra and Katie healthy again," said co-captain Lynne Davies '04. "Ellen Beth [Bowdoin's top returning finisher from Nationals last year] is also doing well. We're going to be very strong this season, and the freshmen will really help out the team."
The Ldy Polar Bears welcomed ten talented first ears to the squad, including Neoma Palmer, the 2002 2A/1A Oregon state cross country champion. "Neoma and [fellow first year] Kristen Brownell are looking great," said Davies.
Catrina Cartagena, Katherine Hayes, Alice Lee, Kivy Lewis, Kristen Lycett, Alix Roy, Megan Swann, and Rio Watanabe round out the new half of the team. "The first years will add incredible depth, and combined with our returners, they will keep us very competitive against Colby this weekend," said Hardacker.
The women start the season with a race this weekend at Colby.
|
FastCounter by bCentral |