Cross-Country Impresses

Last Saturday, the Bantams squared off against other cross-country teams in the Eastern College Athletic Conference meet at the Tufts course in Grafton, Massachussetts. While the men rested some of their runners in preparation for the upcoming New England Division I's, the lady Bants ruffled more than a few feathers by placing 6th overall, beating out rival teams such as Coast Guard and Amherst.

Apparently, one of the keys to this successful race was the women's strategy of establishing a strong lead in the beginning, but easing off on the first hill to save some energy for the rest of the course. Once the first mile was over, the plan was to pour on the speed for the rest of the race. This resulted in freshman Leann Rheaume '03 flying over the line in an 11th place position, at a strong time of 19:53. Rheame was coming off an Achilles tendon injury from over the summer and only now feels that she is starting to run races at her level again. Second for Trinity was sophomore Caroline Leary racing in only 16 ticks of the clock after Rheaume at 17th place, at a time of 20:09. "It was a little tough terrain," said Leary, "but I knew it from last year, and Coach had us ready for it. I think it went well." Kate Klein found her way into the finishing chute with a strong time of 20:56 at the 40th position, and Senior Captain Kara Barbalunga finished with a solid time of 21:04. Sarah Hackett, a freshman , raced a 21:46 at the 79th spot, and freshman Stephanie Wezowicz ran with a time of 22:23. Senior Katherine Frank finished off her Trinity cross-country career well that day with a strong time of 22:35. "I felt really fast, and felt very good. The strategy that Coach told us to get out fast and keep thinking positively in the race really helped."

In the men's race, only three runners for Trinity crossed the line as intended that day. Adam Strogoff said that "It wasn't one of my best time wise, but considering the course conditions, it was one of my better races. The gradual hills and the steep ones were tough, but overall it was a solid race." Solid indeed for Strogoff, who came in with a time of 30:35. Senior Co-Captain Adam Forkner battled it out through the whole race to secure a 29:29. This was the last race for Forkner, who is known as one of the most dedicated runners on the team. Junior Todd Markelz spoke of Adam as a "die-hard runner who never missed practice" and Junior Steve Napier, another Trinity runner that day coming in at 30:04, said simply that, "Forkner is hard-core." The Trinity College cross-country teams now take their top runners to the New England Division I race this weekend at UMASS Dartmouth, on Saturday, November 13.