Ranked number 14 in the country and second in New England in a preseason coach’s poll, the men’s cross country team is on the brink of its greatest season in history. Despite losing All-American runners Wes Fuhrman ’05 and Owen Kiely ’06, the Cardinals return a core of talented seniors to lead the team this fall. On the women’s side, All-American standout Ellen Davis ’07 returns to lead a young but talented group.
Tri-captains Jon King ’07 and Alex Battaglino ’07 pack a powerful one-two punch for the Cardinals up front. Last fall, King was an All-New England and All-NESCAC performer, while Battaglino was the conference champion in the 10,000 meters in outdoor track.
The Cardinals also return four other members of their 2005 varsity squad, including Anda Greeney ’07 and Mike Brady ’07. The squad finished second in New England behind Tufts last season. Greeney put together a strong track season and Brady was named to the All-New England team last fall. Sean Watson ’08 was All-New England in the 5,000 meters in track last spring and is a force to be reckoned with this fall. Matt Shea ’08 also returns, despite having mono and knee problems, which hindered his track season.
“We’re the real deal this year,” Watson said. “No more underdog status. Sometimes I can’t sleep at night because I’m so excited about the season.”
Perhaps the strongest part of the 2006 team is the depth. A solid ten to twelve runners have a shot of making the varsity seven. Tri-captain Nick Holowka ’07, Jonah Blumstein ’09, and Ed Kenney ’07 look very strong after spending the summer training in Eugene, Oregon with Battaglino and Brady.
“It was great to be in Oregon this summer,” Blumstein said. “Eugene is the track capital of the world, and we were treated to awesome runs, sunsets, and ice cream.”
Nate Huddell ’07 and Steve Morris ’07 put in solid summers of running and could make some noise this fall. The Cardinals also return Chris Foster ’09, who spent two years in Argentina on a Mormon mission. Foster was a member of the varsity team two years ago as a freshman.
Despite their top billing, the Cardinals do not face their real competition until October at the New England Open Championships in Franklin Park. But this weekend, the team hosts the first annual Wesleyan Invite at the Long Lane Course with a highly anticipated duel with Division I foe West Point.
“This is not just a race,” Shea said. “This is a battle of ideologies.”
The women get a crack at NESCAC competition this weekend as well, as Connecticut College is expected to show up. Ranked number 33 in the first preseason poll, the Cardinals hope to build on this mark, as the top 31 teams in the country are invited to the National meet.
Davis leads the way as a four-time All-American in cross country and track. Anna Schindler ’09 and Lucia Pier ’08 will likely be the Cardinals second and third runners. Schindler is coming off a stellar track season, while Pier is returning from a stress fracture, but should be in top form by November. Co-captain Megan Kretz ’07 should also provide leadership and experience for this young squad.
We really have some good vibrations this year,“ Schindler said. ”It’s like that song by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch.“
Throw in two talented transfer students in Hannah Hastings ’08 and Julia Stone ’09, and the Cardinals are ready to roll on NESCAC Competition.
Perhaps Kretz described the upcoming season best, saying, ”It’s on…on like Donkey Kong.“
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