Young harriers have lofty goals
The success of a young women’s cross-country squad in 2008 means Iowa is confident heading into the 2009 season.
What you should know
The Iowa women’s cross-country team was filled with youth in 2008, and from the experience gained, there is only one word that can describe next year.
“Expectations,” sophomore-to-be Brooke Eilers said. “We know what to expect when we get to the big competitions, and we won’t settle with mediocrity.”
The Hawkeyes, led by outgoing senior Racheal Marchand’s fifth-place performance, finished 24th nationally as a team at the NCAA championships in November 2008. The program has reached a point where there is a combination of All-American talent at the front of the pack and quality depth down the line, coach Layne Anderson said.
“We have the potential, if everything falls into place and we stay healthy, to match our success from 2007, when we finished 10th at the NCAA championships.” he said.
Whom you should know
Even with the loss of All-American runner Marchand, the team will return five of its top seven runners, most of whom are underclassmen. Sophomores-to-be Eilers, Betsy Flood, and McKenzie Melander all enjoyed tremendous success last season, as did junior-to-be Hannah Roeder. Eilers and Flood compiled three collegiate-best times last year, including a 21:06 and 21:37, respectively, in the 6,000-meter at Pre-Nationals, ranking them sixth and eighth in school history.
“The women on the team are extremely supportive and hard-working,” Flood said. “It’s just especially great to be around positive people and a coach who want to help you to reach your goals while you help them to do the same.”
Main rival
The team does not have a main rival, but the Big Ten is strong in women’s cross-country, with six teams qualifying for nationals last season.
The Iowa women’s cross-country team had seven runners compete at the NCAA championships.
Here are the top five times for the 6,000-meter race:
• Racheal Marchand, 5th, 19:54
• Sarah Spencer Perry, 121st, 21:20
• Hannah Roeder, 158th, 21:39
• Brooke Eilers, 190th, 21:52
• Betsy Flood, 194th, 21:55
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