While most students were still getting ready to return to school, the University’s women’s cross country team had already moved already moved back to campus, and were busy training for their upcoming season.
For the 2010 season, the Lady Cards return six of their top seven scoring runners. The team graduated Ravenna Neville ’10, their number one runner last year, but she returns to the Wesleyan this year as the assistant cross country coach, providing guidance and motivation for the team.
With so many top scoring runners returning, the team will have experience on their side. One particular runner to look out for is Julia Mark ’13. Mark is returning this season after ending the 2009-2010 year with strong showings in both cross country and track. She was named NESCAC Rookie of the Year and an All New England athlete, while also receiving all-NESCAC first team honors.
Up and coming runners Hannah Zimmerman ’13 and Nellie Triedman ’13, look strong as they return to the track this year. Making their debut appearance on the Wesleyan cross country team are Julie Platt ’12, a transfer student, and promising freshman Libby Lazare ’14.
Team captains Jessica Levin ’11 and Sarah White ’11, as well as top scorers Tess Crain ’12 and Rosie Keogh ’13, have their minds set on training hard in order to place in the top three at NESCACs and make a return to Nationals this year. The Cardinals will kick off their season with their annual alumni race Saturday, Sept. 11 at Wesleyan.
On the men’s side, the Cardinal’s cross country team looks to its 2010-11 season with hopeful eyes as it only lost one senior last year from the top seven runners on the team. With experience and depth, the men hope to secure a bid this season for the NCAA Championships.
Returning this year are tri-captains Matt Katz ’11, Charles Lang ’11, and Brendan Sheehan ’11. Katz and Lang were members of last year’s varsity seven squad along with Jamie Lawrence ’12, Skyler Cummins ’13, and Bryan Marsh ’13. Aside from the top runners, the team has a strong bunch of up-and-coming runners that will contribute to the team. Seth Hafferkamp ’12, Julian Applebaum ’13, Austin Cotant ’13, and Sam Roth ’13 all look to continue Wesleyan’s excellence in running and take the team one step closer to Nationals.
The Cardinals look to this season to improve their record from last year, and are vying to place in the top five regionally in order to qualify for the Nationals meet that is held in November. Saturday, Sept. 11, the men’s cross country team starts off its season with the alumni race held at Wesleyan.