Ephs 2nd at Little Three; Rachel Asher 2nd overall
Heading into Saturday's Little Three championships hosted by Wesleyan, Williams women's cross country knew they would be in for a challenge. The Amherst team, which claimed second at the 2006 NCAA championships and is currently ranked number one in the national poll, boasts an extremely strong squad this season. While the Ephs had an impressive showing with three women in the top eight finishers, it was not enough to break the Amherst pack. The Jeffs claimed the coveted Little Three title with 22, while Williams took second with 38 and host Wesleyan finished third with 79.
Equipped with wood mulch trails, trickling brooks, and an open meadow start and finish, Wesleyan's variable 5k course fully captures the spirit of cross country. Unseasonably warm temperatures and muddy areas characterized the day, but race conditions were overall decent and not the harriers' biggest strategic consideration. The Ephs'game plan, designed by Coach Pete Farwell, involved working in powerful packs to attack the strong Amherst squad Jeff-by-Jeff.
After the 12:30 gun, the dash down the 500 meter straightaway left Rachel Asher '09 leading the field. A tight pack of ten or so Williams and Amherst harriers followed closely after. The Williams contingent consisted of Captain Lissy Robie ‘08, Olga Kondratjeva ‘10, Lauren Philbrook '09, and Moira Yoe ‘10. A second Williams pack of Bret Scofield ‘10, Jess Clarke ‘10, Captain Liz Gleason '08, and Natalia Rey de Castro '09 paced closely behind and worked together to hold off their Amherst and Wesleyan foes.
The front Eph-Jeff cluster did not separate until the mile 2 marker, where Amherst's top pack suddenly pulled away with a huge surge. The Ephs knew this last mile and change would be challenging: the Amherst pack would have to be broken up in order to contend for the title. Although the Eph women's efforts were not enough to achieve Little Three victory, they finished with strength and confidence, capturing many fatigue-stricken opponents who started their kicks too early.
Asher, who finished second in 18:55 held her lead until the final straightaway, where Amherst's top woman cruised to first place. Kondratjeva finished with a blazing kick and took fourth in 19:04. Rounding out the top seven were Lissy Robie in 8th (19:14), Lauren Philbrook in 11th (19:27), Moira Yoe in 13th (19:29), Bret Scofield in 14th (19:33) and Jess Clarke in 15th (19:33).
Next Saturday at Mt. Greylock high school, Williams will once again face their Little Three foes along with other NESCAC squads at the NESCAC championships. The top 12 harriers will compete in the championship 6k race, while the remainder of the team will participate in the NESCAC open 6k race.
Wesleyan University
Little Three XC Championships (Women) - 10/20/07
Middletown, CT
Results
Women 5k Run CC
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Name Year School Seed Finals Points
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1 Wilson, Heather Amherst 18:49.50 1
2 Asher, Rachel Williams 18:55.79 2
3 Tropiano, Elise Amherst 19:01.70 3
4 Kondratjeva, Olga Williams 19:04.80 4
5 Ray, Margaret Amherst 19:07.30 5
6 McDermottMurphy, Caitlin Amherst 19:08.90 6
7 Partee, Kimberly Amherst 19:11.10 7
8 Robie, Lissy Williams 19:14.80 8
9 Pier, Lucia Wesleyan 19:23.40 9
10 Galleher, Sophia Amherst 19:25.60 10
11 Philbrook, Lauren Williams 19:27.30 11
12 Ballinger, Kristen Amherst 19:27.60 12
13 Yoe, Moira Williams 19:29.40 13
14 Scofield, Bret Williams 19:33.40 14
15 Clarke, Jessica Williams 19:33.80 15
16 Gleason, Liz Williams 19:35.60
17 Rey de Castro, Natalia Williams 19:38.70
18 Walls, Laura Williams 19:40.90
19 Neville, Ravenna Wesleyan 19:41.90 16
20 Tedeschi, Gillian Williams 19:44.20
21 Moravec, Katie Amherst 19:46.60
22 Mortimer, Laura Amherst 19:53.80
23 Teitsworth, Elly Williams 19:56.70
24 Schwab, Hallie Amherst 19:58.30
25 Levin, Jessica Wesleyan 20:06.30 17
26 Anderson, Nicole Amherst 20:06.90
27 Harlin, Mallory Williams 20:12.50
28 Hastings, Hannah Wesleyan 20:22.10 18
29 Cameron, Rachel Amherst 20:25.20
30 Giaimo, Cara Amherst 20:26.50
31 Meade, Tina Williams 20:27.30
32 Links, Beth Williams 20:29.20
33 Meehan, Kelsie Williams 20:34.70
34 Stephens, Kate Williams 20:36.60
35 Weber, Sarah Williams 20:39.10
36 Pritchard, Melissa Amherst 20:39.60
37 Hyde, Allegra Williams 20:39.90
38 White, Sarah Wesleyan 20:42.50 19
39 Schindler, Anna Wesleyan 20:44.70 20
40 Knuff, Catherine Amherst 20:46.30
41 Wheatley, Elizabeth Wesleyan 20:49.30 21
42 Ray, Jessica Williams 20:53.40
43 Hill, Sarah Williams 21:00.30
44 Green, Nicole Amherst 21:02.40
45 Wong, Christina Amherst 21:04.10
46 Katzelnick, Leah Williams 21:08.00
47 Bourne, Hannah Wesleyan 21:11.10
48 Emhoff, Kristen Williams 21:11.40
49 Walton, Zandra Amherst 21:16.80
50 Dalton, Elizabeth Amherst 21:25.90
51 Brickley, Lizzy Williams 21:37.00
52 Taylor, Mercedes Amherst 21:38.30
53 DiAddezio, Alexandra Williams 21:50.80
54 Rockett, Emily Williams 22:14.80
55 Huey, Amanda Williams 22:24.60
56 Pritchard, Taryn Williams 22:26.00
57 Mullen, Catherine Williams 22:34.90
58 Dezieck, Laurel Wesleyan 22:38.00
59 Jacob, Amanda Wesleyan 22:47.70
60 Durante, KK Williams 22:54.60
61 Manfred, Jane Williams 23:02.20
62 Holmes, Megan Williams 23:02.80
63 Davis-Hayes, Ceci Williams 23:18.10
64 Jacoby, Ryan Williams 23:19.60
65 Shea, Meghan Williams 23:32.30
66 McElroy, Alysha Williams 23:32.60
67 Fu, Sue Williams 23:37.90
