Tomorrow, the women's cross country team will return to Tufts Farm Course in Grafton for the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Cross Country Championship.
The varsity runners will not be racing this Saturday. As in the past, the top seven (and in the case of the Jumbos, the top eight) will rest this weekend so they will be fresh for next weekend's New England Division III Regional meet in Twin Brooks, Maine. The Jumbos 9-15 runners, seniors Katie Mason and Emily Pfeil, junior Arielle Aaronson sophomore Jenny Torpey, Samantha Moland, and Angie Lee, and freshman Ana Hoyos will race for the Jumbos.
Throughout the season, the Jumbos have had a depth that few teams have been able to match. Their number 8-12 runners have often been within only 1:30 to 2:00 of the leader, making the Jumbos a tough team to handle with their ability to displace runner.
These Jumbos, who have spent most of the season in the shadows of the varsity despite quality races, will be in the spotlight this weekend. Although this race has little bearing on the Jumbos' future success this season, it is a chance for Tufts to showcase its depth and gain experience for next season.
"They seem pretty fired up about it," coach Kristen Morwick said. "For this group it's the last race of the season so there's a little more at stake."
The Jumbos last ran at the Tufts Farm Course on Sept. 25 at the Jumbo Invitational. The hot weather during the 12:00 p.m. race combined with the challenging course hurt the Jumbos, who despite finishing second as a team, had disappointing performances. Freshman Laura Walls dropped out of the race while freshman Katy O'Brien had a tough outing because of the heat.
"Our women don't love (Grafton) but at least it's the home course and they know how to race it," Morwick said. "It's going to be cooler than the last time we raced.
The decision on the ECAC team means that the Jumbos have also picked the team that they hope will lead them to a top-five finish at Regionals, meaning a trip to the NCAA Div. III National Meet in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The Jumbos will look to senior Katie Sheedy, junior Becca Ades, sophomores Sarah Crispin and Raquel Morgan, and freshmen Catherine Beck, Katy O'Brien, Anna Shih, and Laura Walls to lead them at the Regional meet.
Last season at the ECACs, which were also held at the Tufts Farm Course, the Jumbos finished eighth as a team, led by former senior Katie Higley, Lee and senior Liz Bloomhardt. Williams won the meet with 55 points, followed by Middlebury (60), and Keene State (76).
"Usually a couple teams race their top seven. In terms of depth, we could do really well," Morwick said. "Other than Middlebury and Williams' top seven, we have the best out there. I still think we can realistically be in the top five if people run well."
