Women hope to Stampede past competition

Deemed a "last chance meet," this weekend's Tufts Stampede marks the last meet of the regular season for the women's track and field team. As a non-scoring event, the meet exists solely as an opportunity for those who haven't qualified yet to do so as well as for those who have qualified to get themselves better seed times.

Teams within the NESCAC as well as those in other leagues from around New England will make the trip to put forth their best effort within the Gantcher Center. NESCAC foes include Amherst, Colby, Middlebury, and Trinity, as well as a smattering of other teams such as Brandeis, Bryant, Emmanuel, Gordon, Oneonta State, Plattsburgh, Roger Williams, USMMA, Wellesley, WPI, and Umass-Lowell. The field of 15 competitors will set up a tough contingent for the Jumbos to battle against as they attempt to propel more of the squad into the postseason.

"Every event should be competitive given the mix of teams we have coming," Coach Kristen Morwick said. "There are some great individuals representing the various schools who should provide ample competition for our team."

Heading into the Div. III Championship on Feb. 22, the team knows that its main competition will come in the form of the no. 1 and no. 3 teams in the nation this time last year; Wheaton and Williams respectively. As fourth place finishers last year, the Jumbos hope to better their placement and take third this year. To do so, the team knows it will have to score well in the sprints, jumps, hurdles, relays, pentathlon, and throws. Thus, the more people that can either qualify or get themselves into better seeds or flights, the more likely the team will reach their goal of third.

The team's throwers have shown steady improvement throughout the season, and looks to make an impact at the Div. III meet. Sophomore Katie Antle is two inches off the provisional national qualifying mark of 41'8'' and will be looking to lob the shot put that far this weekend. Junior tri-captain Jessica Gauthier is half an inch off the 42' 6'' needed to make it to ECACs in the weight throw, and remains the only thrower qualified for the weight throw at Div. III's.

The throwing squad hopes to qualify more of their members to help add more muscle to the Div. III lineup. Sophomore Jessica Colby has made the Div. III mark in the shot put and will be vying for an ECAC slot in the same event, as well as a chance at the weight throw for the Div. III meet.

"We have a good chance of really doing well at Div. III's, based on competitions throughout the season," Gauthier said. "I think there's a lot more depth, the freshmen are very strong, and there's better bonding."

Within the sprints and hurdles, freshmen Daniela Fairchild, Jolando Porter, and Molly Whittington will be shooting to attain qualifying marks. Getting freshmen experience in championships will give them an edge when the time comes in the spring to and later in their athletic careers to compete at that higher level.

The 800-meter run is another event rife with those looking to qualify, including sophomore Liz Bloomhardt. Sophomore Katie Sheedy and junior Katie Higley have already met the requisite time of 2:31.24 in the event, but will be looking to improve upon their seed times.

If the middle and long distance events can also garner some points at the Div. III meet, the Jumbos would be in a better position to move into third. Thus, freshmen Arielle Aaronson, sophomore Emily Pfeil, and senior Megan Dibiase will do their best to finish the 1000-meter race in 3:16.79 or better and head onto Div. III's. Senior Mary Nodine and freshman Becca Ades have met this time and hope to surpass it further at the Stampede.

If everyone is able to contribute individual efforts that will strengthen the Div. III team, the squad will be in a better position to move into third place within the NESCAC.

"This meet is for fine-tuning, a chance to get better seed times or just qualify," Morwick said.

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