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FinishLynx / NCAA DIVISION I WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY NATIONAL POLL
(Conducted by the Women's Cross Country Coaches Association)
2003 Preseason Poll
September 2, 2003
Ranking Team (first place votes) Points
1. Brigham Young (13) 390
2. Stanford 371
3. Notre Dame 358
4. Colorado 351
5. Villanova 330
6. Providence 329
7. Wake Forest 303
8. Georgetown 296
9. Columbia 271
10. Northern Arizona 264
11. North Carolina 255
12. Michigan 253
13. Michigan State 227
14. North Carolina State 216
15. Arkansas 212
16. Duke 175
17. Missouri 168
18. Indiana 166
19. Arizona State 151
20. Virginia 128
21. Penn State 122
22. Boston College 118
23. Wisconsin 103
24. UCLA 85
25. William & Mary 79
26. Colorado State 77
27. Marquette 60
28. Texas A&M 42
29. Southwest Missouri State 24
30. West Virginia 21
Other Teams Also Receiving Votes: Cornell 18, Washington 17, Auburn 15,
Baylor 12, Toledo 11, Minnesota 10, Dartmouth 5, Weber State 5, Yale 4,
Kentucky 2,
Florida State 1.
Voting panel consists of the nine elected regional representatives and
four at large members of the Women's Intercollegiate Cross Country Coaches
Association.
Analysis of the 2003 NCAA Division I Women's Cross Country Coaches' Poll
by Mike Scott,
University of Rhode Island
Updated: Preseason
For the 7th consecutive year, I am analyzing the Women's Division I Coaches'
Poll. The top 10 teams are listed according to their ranking in the current
edition of the FinishLynx/NCAA DIVISION I WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY NATIONAL
POLL, as conducted by the Women's Intercollegiate Cross Country Coaches'
Association.
The complete version of this poll analysis may be found at:
http://miscott.home.att.net/wxcanal/
Notes: Places listed in parentheses refer to finish at the 2002 NCAA D-1
XC Championships at Furman University, unless otherwise noted. Performances
are from the 2002-03 year, unless otherwise noted. Performances at the
Foot Locker High School Cross Country Championships are denoted by "FL".
As always, I appreciate additions, corrections, and updates. Please send
them to me at [email protected]
TOP THIRTY TEAMS:
1. Brigham Young
Patrick Shane's defending champion BYU Cougars have now won 4 of the last
six NCAA team titles ('97, '99, '01, '02), including the last two crowns.
NCAA steeplechase champs Michaela Mannova ('02) and Kassi Andersen ('03)
return to lead the Cougars. Mannova, who finished 5th in both the '01
and '02 NCAA harrier races, redshirted the outdoor season but notched
a swift 9:42.01 steeple while winning silver at this summer's Euro under-23
meet. In her absence, '02 USA Junior 1500 champ Andersen (7th) ran away
with the steeple title in an NCAA meet record 9:44.95 before claiming
silver at the USA championships. Also returning for BYU are Breanne Sandberg
(41st), Lisa Antonelli (10:14.37s/c), Shalice Pugmire (10:32.88s/c), as
well as a possible key for the Cougars' hopes of a three-peat: former
two-time cross country All-American Laura Turner (26th '99, 31st '98)
who served on an LDS mission in 2000 and 2001. Foot Locker finalists Ruth
Graham (12th FL) and Amber Harper (13th FL) could help bolster the Cougars'
lineup.
Meets: 9/6 Alumni Race, 9/13 BYU Autumn Classic, 9/20 Hawaii Invitation,
9/26 Great American, 10/10 AzSt, 10/17 Pre-NCAA, 11/1 Mountain West Conf
(San Diego), 11/15 Mountain Reg (Ft Collins, CO)
Returnees: Michaela Mannova (5th, 5th '01, 148th '00; 9:42.01s/c; '02
steeplechase champ), Kassi Andersen (7th; 2:08.10, 4:18.04 '01, 9:44.95s/c,
'03 steeplechase champ, 2nd USA s/c, 1st '02 USA Jr 1500), Breanne
Sandberg (41st; 16:22.59), Shalice Pugmire (10:32.88s/c),
Aneta Lemiesz (2:05.30), Lisa Antonelli (10:14.37s/c), Laura Turner (26th
'99, 31st '98; 16:38.67)
Newcomer: Ruth Graham (12th FL; 10:02.7 3k, 10:46.87y);
Amber Harper (13th FL; 4:37.95, 9:54.44 3k); Julie Cameron (2:12.83, 5:10.45i),
Whitney McDonald (CA)
2. Stanford
Despite the loss of 3-time NCAA 5k champion Lauren Fleshman and mile standout
Malindi Elmore as well as a coaching change, the Cardinal appears to be
set for another run at the NCAA harrier crown. Following the departure
of Stanford mentor Vin Lannana for greener pastures (well, at least Ohio),
former All-American Dena Evans was promoted to Head Women's Coach. NCAA
10k champ Alicia Craig finished 3rd in Terre Haute last fall and will
lead Stanford this fall and should be joined up front by teammate Sara
Bei (57th). Jeane Goff and Anita Siraki round out the NCAA returnees for
the Cardinal. Coach Evans scored big with this year's recruiting class,
nailing down one of the fastest prep milers of all time Ari Lambie --
who also won the ever-competitive Foot Locker NE regional before succumbing
to illness at the FL finals -- along with the ttalented Trotter twins
-- Kathleen (2nd at Foot Locker championships) and Amanda.
Stanford dominated its season opener at the 8/30 Bronco Invite with Sara
Bei, Katy Trotter, Jeane Goff, and Amanda Trotter all finishing together
in the top four spots; Craig and Lambie didn't appear at the opener.
Meets: 9/27 Stanford Inv, 10/4 Murray Keating, 10/18 Pre-NCAAs, 11/1 Pac-10
(Pullman), 11/15 West Reg (Portland)
Returnees: Alicia Craig (3rd, 28th '01; 15:25.75, 32:40.03, NCAA 10k Champ),
Sara Bei (57th, 89th '01; '00 FL Champ; 16:03.08;
13th out 5k; USA Jr '01 3k champ), Jeane Goff (128th,
4:26, 10:23.08s/c), Anita Siraki (110th, 2nd '00
FL' 9:47i); Kristen Cohoon (10:04.77; 17:08), Yfa Kretzschmar (2:10.05,
5:01.95y);
Newcomers: Ari Lambie (22nd FL, 1st FL NE; 2:45.46NR, 4:20.2, 4:37.23y,
10:11.9y), Kathleen Trotter (2nd FL, 2:11.32, 4:50.32y, 10:30.47y, ) Amanda
Trotter (2:11.37, 4:54.43y, 10:32.11y), Teresa McWalters, Julie
Allen (11th '01 FL; 4:59.27y, 10:37.75y),
3. Notre Dame
The Irish came through big-time at the NCAA championships to claim 3rd
behind the leadership of Molly Huddle (6th as a frosh!) and 2-time Cross
Country All-American Lauren King (19th). Loryn King (76th), Stephanie
Madia (78th), and Katie Wales (225th) also return from the '02 NCAA meet,
while Megan Johnson is back after a redshirt year.
Meets: 9/5 Valparaiso Inv, 9/19 National Catholic, 9/22 Central Collegiates
(3-Rivers, MI), 10/3 ND Inv, 10/11 Bronco Open, 10/18 Pre-NCAAs, 10/31
Big East (NYC), 11/15 Great Lakes Reg (Terre Haute)
Returnees: Molly Huddle (6th, 4th '01 FL; 4:20.50, 15:36.95), Lauren King
(19th, 27th '01; 4:14.72), Loryn King (76th), Stephanie Madia (78th, 23rd
'01 FL; 4:26.98), Katie Wales (225th); Megan Johnson (130th '01), Rachel
Endress, Jean Marinangeli (17:12), Elizabeth Webster
Newcomers: Amy Kohlmeier (CAN; 2nd Can Jr XC; 4:29.43, 9:52.01), Kerry
Meagher (4:28), Jean Marinangeli (17:12)
4. Colorado
NCAA indoor 5k champ Sara Gorton returns to lead the Buffs and is joined
by Natalie Florence (22nd), Jackie Zeigle (138th), and Christine Bolf
(186th) from the '02 NCAA harrier meet, as well as Laura Zeigle who missed
most of last fall's campaign due to injuries, but showed good fitness
while competing unattached last spring. 2001 NCAA runner up Renee Metiever
transferred from Georgia Tech after missing all of last year due to a
medical redshirt while Villanova transfer Kalin Toedesbusch will also
help the Buffs. At the CU Time Trial, it's traditional for the returnees
to keep cranking up the pace until only 7 runners remain, then permit
the youngest among them to "win". This year, newcomer Shannon
Sparks earned that honor followed by Bolf, Toedebusch, Florence, Gorton,
and Metivier; Jackie Zeigle finished about 50 seconds behind, while neither
Laura Zeigle nor Erika Odlaug appeared.
Meets: 10/04 Rocky Mountain Shootout, 10/18 Pre-NCAAs, 10/31 Big-12 (Austin,
Tx), 11/15 Mountain Reg (Ogden, UT)
Returnees: Sara Gorton (10th, 8th '00; 4:15.48, 15:24.97; ind 5k champ,
3rd out 5k), Natalie Florence (22nd, 100th '01; 16:21.41, 33:40.46), Jackie
Zeigle (138th, 7th FL; 5:02.45y, 9:41.23), Christine Bolf (186th); (returning
from injuries): Erika Odlaug (2nd '01 FL; 17th '01 World XC; 10:35.13y
'02), Laura Zeigle (3rd '00 FL, '01 USA Jr Champ; 4:28.85, 9:51.28),
Newcomers: Shanna Sparks; Renee Metiever (x-fer from GaTech; 2nd '01),
Kalin Toedesbusch (x-fer from Villanova; 67th, 95th '01;)
5. Villanova
'Nova finished 8th in Terre Haute. Marina Muncan, Ioana Parusheva, and
Rebecca Mitchell should lead the Wildcats; Kalin Toedesbusch transferred
to Colorado.
Returnees: Marina Muncan (35th; 2:06.29, 4:21.32), Ioana Parusheva (44th,
209th '01; 4:30.89, 10:37.72s/c), Rebecca Mitchell (83rd, 110th '01, 140th
'00; 2:06.24, 4:21.00), Liz Gesel (116th, 19th '01 FL; 4:58.42y), Carre
Joyce (217th, 180th '01, 202nd '00; 4:30.20, 10:52.53s/c), Kirsty Smith
(227th; 10:55.01); Transferred: Kalin Toedesbusch (x-fer to Colorado;
67th, 95th '01;),
Newcomer:
6. Providence
Perennial top-10 power Providence returns four from their sixth-place
squad, and gain two impact runners to aid them in their quest for a trophy.
All-American Mary Cullen (28th) blossomed last year to twice break 16:00
and garner 4th in the NCAA outdoor 5k. Deirdre Byrne, Lisa Cappello, and
Roisin Quinn also return from last year's NCAA squad. Kimberly Smith and
Fiona Crombie, a pair of New Zealand imports, should immediately help
the Friars; Smith ran 9:09.96 and 15:47.92 this spring, while Crombie
competed outdoors for PC.
Meets: 9/5 Providence Invite; 9/12 BC Invite; 9/27 Griak Invite; 10/17
Penn St Invite; 10/31 Big East (NYC), 11/15 NE Reg (Boston)
Returnees: Mary Cullen (28th, 214th '01; 9:09.13, 15:56.96; 5th 5k), Deirdre
Byrne (71st, 114th '01; 4:26.86), Lisa Cappello (176th, 196th '01, 180th
'00), Roisin Quinn (249th), Ashley Jensen, Katie Twarog
Newcomers: Kimberly Smith (NZL; '02 & '03 WXC; 4:18.09, 9:09.96, 15:47.92);
Fiona Crombie (NZL; 4:48y, 9:45);
7. Wake Forest
The Demon Deacons were one of the break-through teams of the '02 season,
winning ACCs and the SE regional before finishing 9th on an off day at
NCAAs. All-American Anne Bersagel should lead a deep Wake Forest squad.
Meets: 9/13 Pre-ACC (Wake Forest), 9/27 Griak, 10/3 Notre Dame, 10/18
Pre-NCAAs, 11/1 ACC (Wake Forest), 11/15 SE Reg (Greenville, NC)
Returnees: Anne Bersagel (25th, 57th '01; 4:26.26, 16:19.16, 33:23.52),
Anna Sherman (72nd; 4:19.77), Erin Franklin (120th), Danielle Coon (146th),
Jill Miller (218th; 16:11), Nikeya Green (220th; 2:04.56, 4:26.53), Lisa
Gibbs (35th '01; 34:34.79 '02),
Newcomers: Michelle Sikes (15th FL; 4:58.66y, 10:54.03y), Hanna Bremler
(x-fer from Hawaii; 4:29.1), Selina Sekulic (5:00.01iy)
8. Georgetown
The Hoyas won trophies each of the last two years, claiming 3rd in 2001
and 4th last year. Treniere Clement (58th), Nicole Lee (68th), Jodee Adams-Moore
(88th), and Jill Laurendeau (104th, 14th '01) all return from last year's
NCAA squad, while Amanda Pape and Colleen Kelly return from the '01 bronze
medallists.
Meets: 9/13 Gtwn Inv (vs Yale & Arkansas), 9/27 GWU, 10/4 Lehigh,
10/18 Pre-NCAAs, 10/31 Big East (NYC), 11/15 Mid Atlantic (Lock Haven)
Returnees: Treniere Clement (58th; 2:07.90, 4:15.00), Nicole Lee (68th,
84th '01; '01 US World XC Team; 16:49.11, 34:26.03), Jodee Adams-Moore
(88th, 112th '01), Jill Laurendeau (104th, 14th '01; 4:22.64 '01), Amanda
Pape (46th '01, 98th '00; 16:39.39 '01), Colleen Kelly (145th '01, 143rd
'00; 4:26.64, 16:42.22), Maura McCusker (4:29.64), Diana Clock (16:50i),
Kelley Otstott, Sabine Knothe
Newcomers: Elizabeth Maloy (2:12.82, 4:24.26, 4:52.15y, 9:45.45), Jayne
Penn, Sarah Isbitz (2:56.42 1k)
9. Columbia
The Lions won their first ever Heps title in 2002 before winning the regional
title and claiming 11th at the NCAA meet. Columbia adds Duke transfer
Caroline Bierbaum (34th), Cal champ Laura Meyers, and top Foot Locker
regional performers Genevieve Chavez and Susannah Shaw to the strong quintet
of Loretta Kilmer, Trish Nolan, Caitlin Hickin, Melissa Stellato, and
Lisa Stublic.
Meets: 9/27 Griak, 10/18 Pre-NCAAs or Penn St, 10/31 HEPs (NYC), 11/15
NE Reg (Boston)
Returnees: Loretta Kilmer (48th, 163rd '01; 34:47.46),
Trish Nolan (62nd, 165th '01; 16:45.50 '02), Caitlin Hickin (97th, 20th
'01, 90th '00; 16:32.66 '02), Melissa Stellato (101st, 152nd '01, 164th
'00; 4:30.67, 16:47.41), Lisa Stublic (144th; 16:52.75), Julie Fisher
Newcomers: Caroline Bierbaum (x-fer from Duke; 34th), Nicci
Fish (10:50), Genevieve Chavez (10th FL S), Susannah Shaw
(10th FL W; 4:53), Laura Meyers (CA D-4 XC Champ;
11:00)
10. Northern Arizona
The Lumberjacks claimed 10th last fall and return 6 runners from their
NCAA squad. Two-time NCAA steeple runner-up Ida Nilsson and her sister
Johanna, the NCAA indoor mile champ, lead Northern Arizona, which also
gained a graduate transfer from England Laura McCreesh.
Meets: 9/6 Kyte Inv, 9/13 Aztec Inv, 9/26 Great American, 10/11 AzSt Inv,
10/18 Pre-NCAAs, 11/1 Big Sky (NAz), 11/15 Mtn Reg (Weber St)
Returnees: Ida Nilsson (8th, 12th '01; 9:10.48i; 9:49.94s/c, 15:51.71),
Johanna Nilsson (12th; 4:10.72, 4:32.49iy, NCAA ind Mile champ), Erika
Edwards (82nd, 143rd '01), Jinny Hanifan (139th, 63rd '01; 10:25.23),
Natalie Rogers (179th, 49th '01 World Jr XC), Julie Fisher, Jodie Denike
Newcomers: Natsha Wicks (2nd NV), Ariel Latimer (32nd FL W; 5:04, 11:08),
Laura McCreesh (GR x-fer from GBR; 17th GBR Champ; 16:40),
Mike Scott
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