2007 Women's X-C Season Outlook

The 2007 Ephs return 16 of the top 17 from 2006 when they recorded third place finishes in NESCAC, the ECACs and at the New England NCAA Qualifier and finished 8th at the NCAA Championships. Williams is ranked fourth in the national preseason poll.

All-American seniors Liz Gleason and Mallory Harlin and junior Rachel Asher will lead the way for the Ephs. Gleason and Harlin will serve as captains along with fellow senior Lissy Robie, who had a breakout season in 2006 and moved in to the top 7, and is a track All-American. Laura Walls will also be counted on to provide senior leadership and solid racing. "Our seniors are super leaders and role models for the 45-woman squad," notes Farwell. "This year we have lots of talent, too, and even more, a great training ethic and knowledge of our workouts that they share with their younger teammates. They, along with Asher, are super competitors!"

Juniors Lauren Philbrook (47th regional), Kristen Emhoff (25th Regional '05), Julie McNamara (6th ECAC), Gillian Tedeschi (35th Regional; 50th NCAA) and Natalia Rey de Castro (19th ECAC) are all expected to be in the mix. "The junior class is our most numerous, loyal and supporting class ever," said Farwell. "They bring talent for sure, but even more importantly they have a true love for running that is contagious. From this group will emerge some key top-7 runners this year."

Sophomores Jessica Clarke, Bret Scofield (15th ECAC), Elly Teitsworth (36th Regional; 17th NESCAC), Olga Kondratjeva (All-American at 1500 meters), Ariel Williams, and Moira Yoe (9th ECAC) bring plenty of power to the pack! "These sophomores have varied talents: some have mid-distance speed, some may eventually be marathoners, each paces a cross country race in a different way. We usually see good improvements from sophomores with a year of experience under their belts, and this group should really step up in 2007."

A talented crop of newcomers will add to the experienced sophomores and juniors to create formidable depth. It is possible for some of the members of the Class of 2011 to break into the scoring teams. "I'm quite pleased with our first year group by their good summer running, and expect some pleasant surprises based off that, plus the track PR's many of them set in the spring of their senior high school track campaigns," states Farwell.

The Ephs should again be a top contender within the strong NESCAC and New England Division III, and at the National level. "NESCAC is the top conference in the country for Division III; 4 teams finished in the top 8 at the 2006 NCAA Championship. Amherst returns all but one of their NCAA runner-up team and looks to be the favorite in NESCAC, New England region, and the nation. Middlebury always is in the mix, but was hard hit by graduation. Tufts was strong last year and comes back with a veteran, fast team, and will be in contention. Within the region besides these NESCAC contenders Keene State will challenge, with several front-runners leading them," said Farwell.