With the Springfield Invitational rained out last week, the women's track team begins its season on the road tomorrow at the UConn Invitational in Connecticut. The meet, which should prove far more competitive than the Springfield meet would have been, will serve as an early litmus test for the squad.
Tufts is one of just four Division III schools that will compete at the primarily div. I meet, which features teams such as the University of Massachusetts, Providence College, the University of Vermont, and Boston College. The other Div. III schools are Sacred Heart, Southern Connecticut, and Quinnipiac.
"They get paid to run," coach Kristen Morwick said of the Division I schools.
And while Tufts does not offer scholarships for women's track like many Division I programs, Morwick still has high expectations for her runners. The Jumbos will be running against a group of talented teams they'll be seeing again at the May 11-12 All-New England Championship at Williams College.
"This is a preview of the Division I New England meet," Morwick said.
Despite the Jumbos' disadvantage, Morwick's faith in her top runners overshadows any intimidation the Div. I opponents might generate. The team had a good week of practice since the rainout and according to Morwick, they are "more prepared this week to compete then last week.
"The best kids [on our team] will do well," she said. She has great confidence in her top three runners, senior captains Leslie Crofton (5k) and Sarah Deeb (400m) and fellow senior Folake Aaron (100m hurdles). All three runners have already proven they have the talent to challenge and beat Division I athletes by placing top three in the New England Championships last season.
Morwick is also expecting a strong showing from freshman Jessica Trombly in the 400m hurdles, but admits her sprinters and middle distance runners are not the team's advantage when compared to the strong suits of many Div. I schools.
Additionally, Morwick expects her jumpers - led by freshmen Shushanna Mignott, Maritsa Christoudias, and senior Nadia Samadani - to give the Div. I opponents a challenge.
"This is a warm-up meet for us," Morwick said. "We are not looking to score high, just looking to get practice in."
While Morwick is not looking past this meet, she admits her real focus for the season will be the NESCAC Championship, to be held April 28-29.
