Earlier in the season, the men's cross-country team met to discuss goals for the upcoming season. Almost every runner echoed a common goal: win the Little Three Championship Meet.
The men's team has defeated Amherst and Wesleyan in the Little Three Championship Meet twenty years in a row; however, a very strong Amherst team and an up-and-coming Wesleyan squad means that winning the meet a 21st consecutive time will be no easy feat.
The Ephs do have a few things working in their favor. For one, the meet will be held on their home course at Mt. Greylock Regional High School. Knowing the course is an advantage because it helps runners decide when to increase tempo, save energy for a hill, or start a finsihing kick. The Mt. Greylock course also happens to be a course that the team has run very well on in the past.
In addition, two top runners who had been nursing injuries will be competing for Williams this weekend: Brendan Christian '09 and Edgar Kosgey '10. Other runners likely to be near the front of the pack include Macklin Chaffee '09, Jeff Perlis '10, and Brian Cole '11. Still, Coach Pete Farwell emphasized that winning Little Threes would require a full team effort, not just good races by a few top runners. Furthermore, the Ephs will have a little extra motivation this weekend as it is Parents Weekend on campus and many parents will be present at the meet.
The women's 5K race will start at 12:30 followed the men's 8K race at 1:15. The forecast calls for highs in the upper 50's under partly cloudy skies, ideal racing weather.
With an excess of enthusiasm and their sights set high, the Ephs look to run their strongest team race of the year this Saturday at Mt. Greylock Regional High School at 1:15 P.M. It should be some of the most exciting racing of the year.
