Caputo represents Tufts in Indiana

It was sunny, humid, and almost 70 degrees at the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championship in Hanover, Indiana on Nov. 22, a far cry from typical fall weather in New England. This made the race an especially difficult one for competitors like Tufts senior tri-captain Lauren Caputo who, along with others from the region, was challenged by the race day conditions.

Caputo withstood the weather, however, and fared far better than several other New Englanders. She completed the 6K course in 23 minutes 33.3 seconds and placed 71st of 213 runners, putting her just barely in the top third. She also beat several individuals who placed ahead of her in the previous weekend's Div. III New England meet, where she was 20th.

Wesleyan's Courtney Quirin was 13th at New England's, but managed only 128th at Nationals. Bowdoin's Audra Caler was 15th in New England's, but had to sit down in the middle of Saturday's race, eventually getting up and jogging to a 182nd place finish. Marissa Cawley of Middlebury was three spots ahead of Caputo at the previous meet, in 17th, but dropped out mid-race at Nationals. And New England's top at-large runner, Springfield senior Marissa Clapp (3rd at NE's) also dropped out mid-race, suffering from heat exhaustion. The New England champion, Williams sophomore Caroline Cretti, collapsed shortly after the mile mark.

"In general the New England kids were really struggling," coach Kristen Morwick said. "Having come from like 20 degrees in Maine, I don't think any ran particularly well."

According to Morwick, Caputo's race was impressive given the heat and the reaction so many other New England runners had to it.

"I'm really proud of Lauren for putting it all out there," Morwick said. "I think when she looked at how everyone else had finished from the region, she was like, 'Wow, I did pretty well.'"

When the starting gun fired at 11 a.m., the congested field went out hard, and Caputo stayed near the front of the pack.

"I was trying to stay in the top 40, because Kristen was saying if you get in the race, it's easier to stay up there than to move up from the back," Caputo said. "Everyone was together for the first mile. You were never running alone. The race itself was pretty crazy."

Caputo stayed around the All-American range (top 35) for the first two miles or so.

"It was gutsy," Morwick said. "She went out pretty hard and she went after it."

Later in the race, Morwick said that Caputo wasn't quite able to move up and keep up with the pace.

"The pace was so fast, so I kind of faded a bit," Caputo said. "But I'm glad I ran the way I did because I think I wouldn't have placed as well in the end."

Caputo had never been to Nationals before Saturday.

"For her first time out, it was great," Morwick said. "It's hard when you're racing with the best people in the country."

"It was a solid performance given the heat and the course," Morwick added. "I think if the weather hadn't been how it was, she could have hung in there. We haven't run in that kind of weather in over month. It's just too bad it really killed the New England kids."

Although the weather was a challenge, the NESCAC conference still dominated. Middlebury won the team crown with 135 points, Trinity was the runner-up with 174 points, Williams was fourth with 206, and Amherst took fifth with 225.

"I think New England was lucky to finish how they did," Morwick said. "It shows the strength of the region that we have a sub par day and still go 1, 2, 4, 5 for teams."

One NESCAC runner who fared well was Caputo's former teammate and best friend from high school, Trinity senior Liz Brown. Brown placed 18th overall, and Caputo was excited to watch as her fellow Belmont, Mass. native was named an All-American at Saturday evening's awards assembly.

Caputo said that another highlight of the weekend was the carloads of teammates and Tufts supporters who drove to Indiana.

"Everyone was there, psyched, body painted, running across the field like crazy," Caputo said. "It was awesome."

Morwick agreed.

"We had like 40 kids from Tufts out there running around and cheering," she said. "It was great to have so many fans."

Overall, Caputo said she was very happy with the weekend.

"Just making it was a great experience in itself," Caputo said. "It's really an honor to be there, and you can feel that when you're there too."

"She was All-New England Div. I, All-New England Div. III, all NESCAC, and then the national qualifier," Morwick said. "This is by far the best season she's ever had."