Cross country team making strides in 09

After a solid inaugural campaign in 2008, the Wheelock cross country team enters the 2009 season anchored by senior all conference runner Kate Needham (pictured right) and a strong supporting cast. With a core of veterans and promising newcomers, second year head coach Bryan Mahoney holds high expectations for the Wildcats.

"I believe our finish at the NECC championships last season did not reflect how far we had progressed in a short time, but this season we look to finish strong," Mahoney said. "I believe we can move up a few spots in the conference as a team."

As a group, the Wildcats come into the season with more preparation and overall athleticism. Mahoney put the team through a preseason that was considerably more aggressive than the 2008 campaign and felt the runners handled it well. "This team is two months ahead of where we were this time last year, leaving us ample time to develop further."

Individually, Mahoney feels the team is much stronger than last year's team and is looking forward to seeing the improvement the team can make over the course of the next two months. The Wildcats return their top performer and 2008 New England Collegiate All Conference runner in Needham who spent the summer training and has shown progress that thrills Mahoney.

"We outlined an aggressive summer training program for her and she has come back with a great foundation. We will focus on keeping her strong and healthy while increasing the intensity of her workouts throughout the season. I think she is primed for a great season and should be among the top runners in the conference."

Along with Needham, junior Caitlin Burke (Westborough, MA) and senior Molly Thomas (Upton, MA) also return for Mahoney. Burke is coming off of a 2008 campaign in which she continually finished as a top runner for Wheelock.

"Caitlin's running over the summer was very consistent and so far I have been impressed with the improvements she has made," Mahoney said. "I think having a season under her belt will be a great benefit for her and I look for her to make great strides this season."

Freshman Cara McAuliffe ( Nashua, NH) leads a group of newcomers for Wheelock. McAuliffe, sophomore Maria Sideri (North Andover, MA), and senior Kelly Meehan (Salem, MA) round out the team. Though McAuliffe is still adjusting to the collegiate level, Mahoney believes things will start coming together in the next few weeks.

"I think Cara and Caitlin can work together this season to give us a tighter pack up front, so I look for the two of them to really push each other all season."