Williamstown, MA—The top 12 Williams women harriers will head to Wickham Park in Manchester, CT this Sunday for the 2009 NESCAC Cross Country Championship, which will be hosted by Trinity College. With 7 of the currently ranked top 10 teams in the New England region competing this weekend, the Ephs will face some of the stiffest competition they’ve seen thus far this season as they look to take the title of NESCAC champions for their own. Last year the women shared the championship with Middlebury after tying the score in a tight race, a feat not often seen in cross country races.
Both teams will be vying competitively for the title, as Williams and Middlebury are currently neck and neck, ranked second and third, respectively, in New England. With Middlebury looking to bring a strong showing this weekend after winning the Albany Invitational on October 17, the Ephs plan on coming to the starting line fresh and healthy to challenge the Panthers.
Head Coach Pete Farwell said, “It’s a toss-up between Middlebury and maybe Amherst, too. But the team is generally in good health and definitely in good shape, and we’re looking forward to the 6k distance because that’s what we’re best trained for.”
In addition, Amherst, Wesleyan, Colby, Tufts and Bates are all
ranked among the top 10 teams in New England in the latest USTFCCCA
polls and should add to the competitive mix on Sunday.
Nationally, Williams and Middlebury are both ranked among the top
10 teams (Williams in 5th and Middlebury in 8th). Farwell
said, “We couldn’t get better packing than last week at
Little Threes, but we’re hoping to have several women finish
together as all NESCAC and several more close behind.”
The women’s 6k race will kick off the meet at noon, followed by the men’s 5-mile at 1 o’clock.
