2nd place at New England Qualifier earns Ephs a trip to NCAAs
The Williams women finished second at the New England Division
III Championships on Saturday November 10 with a strong posting of
96 points which wasn’t enough to top the Amherst squad who
ran away with only 40 points. 47 teams showed up to compete at
Connecticut College’s Harkness Park with 344 runners in
all.
The 6k-course was slightly altered after last year’s infamous
NESCAC championship through the torrential rain and driving wind.
The course no longer included the marsh loop that left many
harriers with an unsightly “NESCAC rash” but still
featured the beautiful waterfront views. With many open field loops
the race provided for great spectating, and with a noticeably flat
route the course also allowed for some fast times. Cool
temperatures, dry ground, and sunny skies made for perfect racing
conditions.
At the 11:00 gun the Ephs went out hard with Rachel Asher
(’09) and Lissy Robie (’08) pushing their way to the
front. Sophomores Olga Kondratjeva and Elly Teitsworth held back
for a more conservative start and began working their way up as
other weary runners began to falter to join their teammates toward
the front. As the race continued, a large cluster of purple
harriers grouped together, motivating one another toward the
finish.
Kondratjeva was the first Williams woman to cross the line clocking
a blazing fast time of 21:59, good enough to capture 8th place. Not
far behind was her teammate Rachel Asher in 11th (22:09). In a
breakout race, Teitsworth and senior captain Liz Gleason finished
next within one second of one another in 24th (22:31) and 25th
(22:32) respectively. Senior captain Lissy Robie (28th, 22:33) and
junior Lauren Philbrook (30th, 22:39) both finished in great
position joining their teammates in earning New England All-Region
honors by placing in the top 35. Sophomore Moira Yoe rounded out
the Williams top 7 with a strong finish of 22:54 in order secure
46th place.
Captain Lissy Robie was impressed with the number of Williams
women who rose to the occasion: “Lots of people stepped up
today and really helped out the team. We have had a good number of
girls continually moving up every meet which really bodes well for
nationals.”
Adding to the excitement of the afternoon was the large cheering
section of Williams fans who drove out to Connecticut to support
their teammates. Because Williams finished in the top 2, the women
were able to guarantee a spot at the NCAA Championships next
weekend in Northfield Minnesota at St. Olaf College.
