NCAA WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY COACHES' POLL ANALYSIS
by Mike Scott
Updated October 2.
Here's an analysis of the NCAA female harrier teams. I have listed the
top-10 teams according to the NCAA coaches' poll rankings (which I don't
necessarily always agree with). Unless otherwise noted, the numbers in
parentheses following individuals' names indicate that runner's finish at
the '99 NCAA meet at Bloomington, IN; "FL" refers to that runner's finish
at the Foot Locker Championships.
An updated & complete version of the analysis will be posted to:
http://miscott.home.att.net/wxcanal.htm
by mid-day Oct 3.
Most of the information used to compile this analysis came from
individual institutions' athletic web-sites, the t-and-f listserve, and
of course, Walt Murphy's X-Country X-Press. The website
www.collegerunning.com was especially helpful in locating team info and
results.
WEEKLY REVIEW: An interesting day at the Stanford Invite, with the hosts
winning comfortably despite not running Fleshman or Stamps. Washington
edged Kansas State for 2nd, while a very understrength Wisconsin (sans
Palmer and Aufderheide) grabbed third, just ahead of Arkansas. BYU only
ran a B team in the collegiate section. At Iona Meet of Champions over a
mostly flat, fast 6k course at Van Cortlandt (no Back Hills section, for
those of you familiar with the venerable course), Boston College looked
very impressive putting their scoring 5 in the top 9 over a strong
interregional field that included (in order of finish) Texas A&M, Brown,
Wake Forest, Boston Univ, James Madison, Dartmouth, and William & Mary.
At Loyola's Lakefront Invite, Missouri downed Northwestern in a meet that
seems to have slipped by the pollsters (Northwestern got some votes,
while Missouri didn't). Frosh Shalene Flanagan cruised to her 3rd
consectutive win this season as North Carolina downed Virgina
Commonwealth, while Northern Arizona won the Indiana State Invite and
Texas Christian won the Cowboy Jamboree.
WEEKLY PREVIEW: The big meet this weekend appears to be Friday's Notre
Dame Invite, with Stanford, NC State, Michigan, Arizona, Duke, Ball
State, and Purdue supposedly running. Georgetown, Villanova, and Toledo
are set to square off at Saturday's Paul Short Invite. Many teams will
be resting or just running B squads in preparation for the 2nd best meet
of the season, the 10/14 Pre-NCAA meet in Ames.
THE TOP-25 TEAMS
1. STANFORD (West)
The Cardinal should have the best 1-2-3 in the country with Lauren
Fleshman, Erin Sullivan, and Julia Stamps, however Fleshman and Stamps
haven't yet appeared this fall. Three other returnees -- Villareal,
Annis, and Turner -- ran 16:45 or faster last spring. Frosh Victoria
Chang, the FootLocker champ, and Jillian Mastroianni, the FootLocker East
winner, have impacted here already this fall. The Cardinal scored easy
wins at the 9/2 Hornet Harrier Classic and the 9/16 Fresno St Invite,
although at the latter race Sullivan led for most of the first three
miles of the 6k before succumbing to heat stroke and finishing almost a
minute back from the leaders. Still sans Fleshmen and Stamps, Stanford
downed Wisconsin, Kansas State, Arkansas, Washington, and Cal-Irvine at
home on 9/30. The Cardinal faces NC St., Michigan, Arizona at Notre Dame
on 10/6.
Newcomers: Victoria Chang, HI, 1st FL, 4:43.03 1500, 9:48.39 3k,
10:44.81; Jillian Mastroianni, NY, 20th FL, 9:47.7 3k, 10:33.54
Returnees -- Lauren Fleshman (5th, 4:17.76, 15:50.19; 2nd '98 FL), Erin
Sullivan (7th, 9:27.66, 16:11.14; 2x FL champ), Julia Stamps (14th, 6th
'98, 4th '97), Laura Turner (100th, 156th '98; 16:45.24), Mariel Ettinger
(217th; 2nd '97 FL), Caroline Annis (40th '98; '99 USA World Jr Tm;
16:43.24, 34:42.37), Elena Villareal (16:33.48)
Meets: 10/6 NDame, 10/14 Pre-NCAAs, 10/28 PAC-10 (UW), 11/11 West Reg
(Fresno)
2. COLORADO (Mountain)
The Buffs had an off day last year in Bloomington, but showed what they
are capable of during the spring. Kara Wheeler is considered a strong
favorite to win the individual harrier title, while frosh Sara Gorton
debuted impressively at the 9/2 CU Time Trial. Colorado dominated the
Rocky Mountain Shootout on their home course, while Wheeler destroyed the
course record -- and newcomer Gorton nearly broke it too!
Newcomers: Sara Gorton, AZ, 4:54.61, 9:36.24 3k, 10:26.74, Kendall
Wheeler, MN, Minn St 1600 champ
Returnees -- Kara Wheeler (9th, 4:12.15, 8:54.82, 15:28.78); Catherine
Wright (69th; 35:23.25), Tera Moody (118th; 16:42.11; 34:50.40), Jodie
Hughes (187th; 9:25.89), Lesley Higgins (204th; 9:26.02), Molly Austin
(236th), Jen Fazoli (127th '98, 18th '96 FL; 35:11.65
Meets: 10/14 Pre-NCAAs, 10/16 Tiger Inv (B), 10/28 Big-12 (CU), 11/11 Mtn
Reg (CoSt)
3. BRIGHAM YOUNG (Mountain)
The Cougars return 3 runners -- Tara Northcutt, Sharolyn Shields-Thayer,
and Sarah Elliot -- from the top 41 at last fall's NCAA meet, plus 3-4
more runners at 9:31 or faster last spring. They easily handled
Washington and Weber State at the BYU Triple Crown, despite missing
Northcutt (reportedly recovering from a minor knee injury). Also sans
Northcutt, BYU thumped NC State, Georgetown, Ball State, and Duke at the
Great American Festival. The Cougars B team won the Open race at 9/30
Stanford. BYU's next race is the Pre-NCAAs where the only real question
is whether Coach Patrick Shane will show his hand.
Newcomers: Holly Hunter, WV, 5:05.72, Nan Evans
Returnees -- Tara (nee Rohatinsky) Northcutt (17th; '00 NCAA 10k champ;
16:15.67, 33:49.24), Sharolyn Shields-Thayer (23rd, 13th '98; 9:17.71),
Sarah Elliot (58th '99), Tara Haynes (77th '98, 38th '97), Jill Rencher
(9:31.26), Sherida Rogers (9:27.76), Jill Rencher (9:31.26 '99), Melanie
Steere (4:20.36 '99), Lindsey Thomsen
Meets: 10/14 Pre-NCAAs, 10/28 MtnW Conf (BYU), 11/11 Mtn Reg (Weber St)
4. WASHINGTON (West)
Washington returns a very talented team that is bolstered by 15:56
transfer Gillian Palmer from Edinburgh Univ. If everyone is healthy,
then the Huskies could contend for a trophy. Washington opened with an
easy win at the 9/8 Emerald City Invite, finished a distant 2nd (without
Palmer) to BYU at the 9/16 BYU Triple Crown, won over unranked teams at
their 9/23 Sundodger meet. The Huskes then finished second to Stanford
at the 9/30 Stanford invite, scoring wins over Kansas State, an
understrength Wisconsin squad, Arkansas, UCLA, and Cal-Irvine.
Washington next races the 10/15 Wolverine Interregional.
Newcomers: Carly Barnes, WA, 2:17, 4:59, 10:58; (Return for 5th yr) Cami
Matson 9:26.38; (trans) Gillian Palmer, Edinburgh Univ, 4:21, 9:15, 15:56
Returnees -- Jen Schindler (78th; '97 USA XC Jr Champ), Melinda Campbell
(113th, 19th '98), Kara Syrdal (119th, 129th '98, 129th '97, 16:46.55),
Kate Bradshaw (128th, US World XC Tm; 34:41.03), Jennifer Smith (82nd '98)
Meets: 10/15 Wolverine, 10/28 Pac-10s (UW), 11/11 West Reg (Fresno)
5. NC STATE (Southeast)
The Wolfpack (sans Lindsey Rogers and Christy Nichols) edged Virgina at
their own 9/16 Wolfpack Invite. Even with Nichols and Rodgers, NC State
fell to BYU at 9/22 Great American. At the latter race, NC State
evidenced a tight 1-4 pack (7 sec gap), and only dropped 20 more secs to
their 5th.
Newcomers: Sara Graybill, KY, 4:57.59, 10:58.7; Josianne Lauber, PA,
10:52.74; Erin Swain, VA, 11:07.63; Janelle Vadnais, NY, 12th FL NE,
4:52y '99
Returnees-- Christy Nichols (13th; '96 All-american), Katie Sabino (35th,
67th '98; 9:27.74), Beth Fonner (160th), Amy Beykirch (176th, 213th '98,
70th '97), Megan Coombs (203rd), Molly Purser (230th), Lindsey Rodgers
(41st '98, 16:47.61, 34:19.27), Jennifer Modliszewski.
Meets: 10/6 ND, 10/14 NC Coll Champs, 10/28 ACCs, 11/11 SE Reg (Furman)
6. KANSAS STATE (Midwest)
The Wildcats return just about everyone, but still need their 5th to step
it up -- this was also their Achilles heel in '99. Korene Hinds and Amy
Mortimer are a great 1-2 punch. K-State dominated the 9/2 Wichita State
Invite with a 16-point total, then perfect scored the D-1 field at the
9/16 Woody Greeno meet. However, in both meets their fifth scorer was
significantly behind their fourth. Once again with a fifth 30 secs back
of their 4th, the Wildcats fell to Stanford and Washington at the 9/30
Stanford Inv while they narrowly beat an understrength Wisconsin squad.
Newcomers: Cate Holston, KS, 11:08.44
Returnees -- Korene Hinds (10th; 2:03.72, 4:20.49, 9:10.10), Amy Mortimer
(12th; 4:16.78, 9:13.74, 16:14.57), Anne Wetterhus (39th; 35:02.26),
Amanda Crouse (68th; 9:35.31), Ekaterini Fotopoulou (170th), Julianne
Kronoshek (221st)
Meets: 10/3 KsSt, 10/14 Pre-NCAAs, 10/28 Big-12 (CU), 11/11 Midwest Reg
(Waterloo, IA)
7. GEORGETOWN (Mid Atlantic)
The Hoyas debuted at the 9/22 Great American Festival, where they were
soundly beaten by BYU and NC State; their B squad finished 5th at 9/23
W&M and 3rd at 9/30 GWU. NCAA Indoor mile runner-up Autumn Fogg is
running well early, but the rest of the squad needs to step it up to
contend.
Newcomers: Amanda Pape, KS, 7th FL, 5:05.64; Treniere Clement, OH, 2:13.6
Returnees -- Lorena Adams (63rd, 16:45.89, 35:20.25), Kristen Gordon
(75th, 4th '98, 40th '97), Emily Enstice (117th, 170th '98, 9:34.56,
16:36.93, 34:34.17), Marni Kruppa (127th, 8th '98 FL, 16:40.29,
34:31.92), Janelle Thomas (151st)
Meets: 10/7 Paul Short, 10/14 Pre-NCAA (& W&M), 10/27 Big East (Boston),
11/11 Mid Atlantic Reg
8. WISCONSIN (Great Lakes)
A very understrength Badger squad (Erica Palmer, Erin Aufderheide, and
Briana Stott-Messick all stayed home; reportedly all healthy) finished
4th at the 9/30 Stanford meet behind Stanford, Washington, and Kansas
State, so Wisconsin fell from 2nd to 8th in the poll. Wisconsin is top
returning team strictly off of athletes that ran in the '99 champs.
Palmer will attempt to defend her title, but will face a tough challenge
from Colorado's Wheeler. Earlier, Wisconsin finished 1-2-3-4-6 at the
9/16 Illinios Invite to win with a near-perfect 16 points.
Newcomers: Hilary Edmondson, Canada, 4:22.18 1500; Michelle Lilienthal,
IA, 6th FL, 4:32.34 (1st Wisc Ch), 5:00.98, 9:47.53 3k; (trans) Briana
Stott-Messick (Colorado, 247th '98, 80th '97)
Returnees -- Erica Palmer (1st; 33:20.50), Erin Aufderheide (25th, 71st
'98; 9:34.01, 16:28.08, 35:07.53), Bethany Brewster (54th, 62nd '98),
Stephanie Pesch (88th, 112th '98; 4:19.13), Liz Reusser (112th, '98 Wisc
XC champ; 9:27.55, 16:26.94; 34:53.67),
Meets: 10/14 Pre-NCAAs, 10/29 Big-10s (Wi), 11/11 Gt Lks Reg (MiSt)
9. MINNESOTA (Midwest)
Senior co-captains Corinne Nimitz and Elaine Eggleston and frosh Darja
Vasiljeva led the Gophers, 17th last fall, to a big win at their own
Griak invite. Earlier, Minnesota easily downed Drake at the 9/8 "Oz"
Invite.
Newcomers: Laine Misch, CAN, 5th Ont Prov Champs; Darja Vasiljeva,
Latvia, 2:12.8, 4:26.47 1500, 9:32.44 3k
Returnees -- Corinne Nimitz (79th '99, 152nd '98, 34:31.23), Elaine
Eggleston (92nd '99, 191st '98), Victoria Moses (188th '99, JR), Anita
Menden (DNF, So)
Meets: 10/7 Ark-LR, 10/14 Pre-NCAAs, 10/21 Minn, 10/29 Big10 (Wi), 11/11
Midwest Reg (N Iowa)
10. BOSTON COLLEGE (Northeast)
The Eagles perfect-scored the fields at the 9/8 UNH and 9/16 Dartmouth
Invites, then scored a dominating win -- placing 5 in the top 9 -- over a
strong interregional field at the 9/30 Iona Invite. A combination of
strong returnees, transfers, and frosh have resulted in a strong squad.
Megan Guiney and Katie Ryan lead the Eagles.
Newcomers:. Danielle Jelley, NY, 13th FL, 5:02.07, 9:59.83 3k, 10:42.26;
Jen Kramer, NY, 4:32.31 1500, 9:49.36 3k; Julie Spolidoro, Old Dominion,
'00 World XC, 16:29.54, 35:29.68
Returnees -- Nicole Portley (164th), Cate Guiney (167th, 7th '98 FL,
9:35.61), Lisa McIssac (168th), Megan Guiney (220th), Meghan Andrade
(247th), Katie Ryan (9:28.59)
Meets: 10/13 NEs, 10/14 Pre-NCAAs, 10/27 Big East (Franklin), 11/11 NE
Reg (VC)
