Ephs Place Second at NESCACs
Women's XC braved wind and rain to earn runner-up status at Saturday's NESCAC Championships on their home course at Mt. Greylock High. The Amherst Jeffs claimed their second consecutive NESCAC cross country crown, tallying 37 points to the Ephs' 77. Finishing third in the team standings was Bowdoin College with 109. In a tight battle for the next team spot, only a single point separated the following three squads: Middlebury took fourth with 124, Colby fifth with 125, and Tufts sixth with 126.
For many NESCAC veterans, the stormy weather continued the tradition of past conference meets. Many recalled the hurricane-like conditions of last year's infamous championships, where flooded marsh areas left many runners with an irksome skin irritation forever remembered as "The NESCAC Rash." Although Saturday's conditions did not rival those of the 2006 championships in intensity, puddles and muddy conditions resulted in slow times across the board. Light rain and moderate-to-heavy winds plagued the runners over the 6 kilometer course which led competitors through a series of wooded rolling hills and open field stretches.
At the 12:00 gun, the 122-women field dashed down the 500-meter opening stretch. Amherst quickly formed a tight pack up front, pacing among the conference's top harriers. Leading the way for the Ephs was All-American Rachel Asher '09 who took her usual position in the lead group. Captain Lissy Robie ‘08, Lauren Philbrook '09, Moira Yoe '10, and Olga Kondratjeva '10 found themselves cruising along in a nice pack for the first two miles, while Elly Teitsworth '10 and Jess Clarke ‘10 bided their time a little farther back in the field.
By mile two, the field was already spread out thin and the Eph pack began to pass several of their NESCAC foes. Kondratjeva made a tremendous move to join the field's top harriers, motivating her fellow teammates Robie, Philbrook, and Yoe to continue picking off opponents. At mile two and change, Teitsworth utilized her classic kick, joining her fellow Ephs up front.
Asher cruised to the finish in 9th (22:55), followed closely behind by Kondratjeva in 12th (23:06). Robie, Philbrook, and Teitsworth took 16th (23:24), 19th (23:35), and 21st places (23:37) respectively to wrap up the Ephs' top five scorers. Yoe and Clarke placed 22nd (23:38) and 32nd (23:56), rounding out the top seven squad. Amherst's Heather Wilson was the individual champion, finishing in 21:57, an impressive time considering the inclement conditions.
In the 6k open race, the Lady Ephs demonstrated their tremendous depth by sweeping the first five places. Natalia Rey de Castro ‘09 led the Ephs with her 24:27 clocking, followed by teammates Beth Links (25:14), Tina Meade (25:25), Mallory Harlin (25:29), and Kelsie Meehan (25:32).
Next Saturday Williams will host the ECAC championships at Mt. Greylock High School for the second straight year. The Ephs' second seven will represent the team at this competition, while the top seven enjoy a short respite before New England Regionals the following weekend.
