An apple a day may help the Colorado College women's cross country team stay healthy this 2011 season.
The Tigers have a small squad this fall with only 12 runners on the roster, which includes five freshmen and four runners who were injured at some point last season. So staying healthy will be vital.
“I think it's going to be an interesting season,” said head coach Ted Castaneda, who is entering his 31st campaign at CC. “We just have to keep them healthy – and then have the freshmen in particular able to adjust to higher mileage.
“I'm optimistic and looking forward to seeing what they can achieve for this year.”
One reason for optimism is the return of all-conference honoree Maggie Harkins, who led the team for much of the 2010 season before suffering an injury at the end of October and missing the regional meet.
“Maggie was one of the top point getters for us and was leading the team the entire time,” Castaneda said. “We are excited about her because she's back and hopefully she can stay healthy.”
Another source of promise comes from senior Devin Nadar, who will make the push for the top spot along with Harkins.
“Devin was very close to where Maggie was last year,” Castaneda said. “I can't say which of those two will be No. 1 right now, because I think they are very comparable, so they will be pushing each other a lot.”
Junior Mary Wang adds depth to the team as the No. 3 runner. Wang's hard work and dedication propelled her to finish among the “Top 4” on a consistent basis last season.
“Mary went beyond expectations last year,” Castaneda said. “Now she comes back as a junior and we think she can definitely step it up, so that gives this team a lot of hope.”
Other veterans vying for a top spot on the team are sophomore Annie Taylor and junior Charis Whitnah. Senior Megan Hurster also is competing again after she missed last season with an injury.
Top incoming freshmen with potential to break into the top-seven are Alex Caplan, Camille Febvre and Betsie Hopper.
“We have some good freshman coming in who we think have some hope for us,” Castaneda said. “Betsie got injured her senior year of high school and we'll have to go slow with her. But, if she gets back to the form she had as a junior in high school, she could be a real boost for us as an incoming freshman.
“I also have a good feeling that Camille Febvre is going to be up there among our top five later on.”
Completing the roster are freshmen Annie MacCarthy and Stephanie Wynn along with newcomer Kaitlin Kirkpatrick, who is making her collegiate debut in cross country after two seasons with the CC women's soccer team. Due to injury reasons, Kirkpatrick can no longer play soccer, but has potential to break into a top spot on the cross country team this season.
“It's a hard working group and I think it's going to be a fun year,” Castaneda said. “We're looking forward to seeing some people come out of nowhere.”
The Tigers open with a time trial on Sept. 3 at the University of Colorado. The season officially kicks off on Sept. 10 as the team competes in the CU-Colorado Springs Rust Buster Invitational at Monument Valley Park.
A week later, CC hosts its annual Colorado College Invitational at Monument Valley Park. The race will feature several Division II schools along with other NAIA and Division III schools.
“The home meet is a big one for us,” Castaneda said. “You want to do real well at your home meet, so we're shooting for a top-four finish.”
The month of October will be full of key meets for the Tigers.
“That's when the really big lower-elevation meets come in,” said Castaneda. “There is always a physical and psychological advantage we have in our runners, because women can expect to drop 35-40 seconds with a 5K time at lower altitude, and in some cases over a minute.”
The month kicks off in Stillwater, Okla. for the Oklahoma State Cowboy Jamboree on Oct. 1. A week later, the team will travel to Hays, Kan. for the Fort Hays State Tiger Open.
To gear up for the conference meet, the Tigers will compete in the Southwestern College NAIA Mid-State Classic in Winfield, Kan. on Oct. 22.
“That one is a really big meet, because it's the last 5K of the season,” said Castaneda. “We are running a field that is very comparable to a Division III field, so people get really fired up and there are a lot of teams there.
“We can go there and realistically shoot for an eighth-or-better placing and get really fired up. That's crucial for us because it also gives us momentum going into the next meet, which is our conference meet a week later in Sewanee, Tenn.”
The SCAC Championship will be held on Oct. 29, followed by the NCAA Division III West Regional on Nov. 12 in Claremont, Calif.
“I'm excited,” Castaneda said. “I think there is going to be a lot of hope for them. If we can shoot for top-five, top-four finish at conference, we've had a really good season with those returning runners plus the freshmen we have coming in.”
