Women's cross country returns seven to NECC runner-up
BOSTON, MA - In just two short years of existence, the Wheelock College women's cross country team has risen from sixth place at the 2008 league championship to tying for second in 2009, and its third year provides a new head coach but a similarly positive outlook.
"Everyone is putting their all into every practice," said Kristin Murphy, who enters her first year as the Wildcats' head coach. "They're committed to doing their core conditioning, which is going to help make them stronger so they can run faster. As they're building strength and endurance throughout the season, they'll see their times improve."
Murphy, who is joined by first-year assistant coach Patrick Murphy, has a 10-athlete roster that includes seven returning runners, six of whom competed at last year's New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Championship. The Wildcats tied for second with Newbury College. Heading into this fall, providing a team atmosphere to such individualized competitions is important to the head coach.
"Our runners are trying each race to set their personal record, but they can work together," said Kristin Murphy, who looks for teammates to motivate each other during meets, especially on difficult days on the course. "You have to work as an individual to reach your time, but you also work together as a team, providing a little encouragement and working together to catch up to people. You get the whole individual aspect and the team aspect."
Captain Kelly Meehan (Salem, MA/Marblehead) is one of three seniors on the squad, being joined by Caitlin Burke (Westboro, MA/Westboro) and Stephanie Chase (Worcester, MA/Doherty Memorial). Burke was Wheelock's second finisher during the first two races last season, while Chase is a newcomer to the program.
Liz Connolly (Belchertown, MA/Belchertown), Sarah Negron (Whitinsville, MA/Northbridge) and Maria Sideri (North Andover, MA/North Andover) comprise a junior trio, as Sideri was among the team's top five six times last fall.
With a season apiece under their belts, sophomores Cara McAuliffe (Nashua, NH/Nashua South) and Kailah Simon (Norwalk, CT/Norwalk) return to the squad. Simon was the second Wildcat to cross the finish line during all four races in which she competed as a freshman, and McAuliffe was third on a trio of occasions.
Freshmen Danielle Gaudette (Nashua, NH/Nashua South) and Jessica Ramsey (Milford, MA/Hopedale) join Chase for their first seasons of college running.
Wheelock begins its season on Saturday against Emmanuel College with a two-mile race at Roberto Clemente Field. Among the final six meets, the Wildcats visit NECC counterparts Daniel Webster College and Elms College on Sept. 17 and 25, respectively, while making the short trip to nearby Franklin Park on Oct. 15 for Emmanuel's Saints Invitational. The league championship will take place on Oct. 30 at Mitchell College in New London, Conn.
"My experience is in how to build strength and endurance without getting injured," said Kristin Murphy, "so I'm trying to implement speed workouts and slowly increase the mileage. I'm excited to see how they are going to grow during the season."
