Smith meet provides tune-up, shows Eph potential
NORTHAMPTON, MA -- Women's track and field opened its season on Saturday with Smith College's Winter Classic. The unscored meet acted as an initial, low-key tune-up for the team, with only a percentage of the athletes competing.
This year, the running squad remains mostly intact, and the field crew looks to be strongly improved with the addition of severalfirst years. The team, led by head coach Fletcher Brooks and senior co-captains Katie DuPré, Nor a Mitchell, and Elise Johnson, will look to a core of upperclassmen as well as a talented field of first years in all event groups.
In the sprints, outdoor All-American Elise Johnson '10 started the season off on the right foot, outrunning the field of 55m hurdlers to finish first in 8.61 seconds. She looks to continue her domination in the 55m hurdles, as well as to join Hillary Higgs '12 in the 100 and 200 meter. Last year, the duo was a powerhouse in the sprints, and they look to build on their success this winter.
Senior co-captain Nora Mitchell and Maya Harakawa '12 look to be a force in the 400 hurdles.
On the mid-distance side, upperclassmen Lizzy Danhakl '11, Sara Wild '11, Olga Kondratjeva '10, Jess Clarke '10 and Ariel Williams '10 all come into the season strong, healthy, and ready to command the 800-meter race. The addition of two talented younger athletes, Olivia Delia '12 and Celeste Berg '13 will bring depth to the mid-distance squad. Today at Smith, Delia tried out a longer distance, running the 3000m in 10:40.45.
Despite the loss of long distance standout Lauren Philbrook '09, the distance group has a solid core of young talent, with first year Jennifer Gossels looking to step in and try to follow in Philbrook's foosteps. Gossels was consistently the number-one finisher for Williams cross country this fall. At Smith today, Gossels cruised to a finish in the 5k unchallenged, in 18:02. Freshman Annie Dear '13 looks to be a solid 3000m runner after an outstanding cross country season among the varsity top seven. Natalie Davis '12 will switch over to the longer distances after showing some of her talent in the mid-distance events last year. Her 10:38.67 3k performance today is a taste of fast times to come. Seniors Bret Scofield and Elly Teitsworth will also bring speed and experience to the distance squad.
In the field events, Sara Turner '11 and Karyn Moss '12 look to be strong competitors in the multis, while sophomores Eileen Becker and Madeleine Watson will anchor the throws. Today, Turner finished first in the high jump, jumping 1.50m. Watson threw 10.94m in the shot-put, good for third place at Smith. First-year Jasmine Adekoya, as the sole thrower from the freshman class, is, according to Brooks, "a solid thrower."
"We've strengthened the jumps with the addition of Tanasia Hoffler '13," said Brooks. Hoffler will compete primarily in the triple jump. Last year's Connecticut state champion in the triple jump, Brooke Johnson '13, has joined the squad, as well. These talented freshmen look to bolster a group of jumpers that Brooks says "...was a young group to begin with." Returning juniors Sarah Bender '11 and Rachel Teitelbaum '11 hope to improve upon last year's strong performances in the pole vault.
"The field team is expected to have a breakthrough season after great preseason preparation in the weight room. We have a great recruiting class and strong returning upper classmen," said co-captain Katie DuPré '10.
"Our goal is to get back the New England title, which I think is definitely in our grasp," said Brooks.
