The Observer, November 2, 2007
Volume XL, Issue 9
Cross country keeps pace with tough conference competition
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Though they were running in Boston, Case's cross country program took a long stride toward Northfield, Minn., where the NCAA National Championships will be held in two weeks.
The men's cross country team (25th, Div. III) placed third and the women's team (8th, Div. III) took second at the UAA Championship on Saturday. The men's third-place finish is a significant improvement from last year, when they placed seventh in the UAA. Their third-place finish increases their chance for a NCAA Championship birth, something that is now almost certain for the women's team.
Esther Erb again led the pack, winning her fifth straight race with a time of 22:18 and solidifying her position as one of the nation's top distance runners.
"At every UAA championships meet, they give us booklets with records and previous performances," said Erb. "As a freshman and sophomore, I remember that most people glanced at it and threw it in their bags. This year, everyone was scouring the program for some last minute information about the competition." In Erb's freshman year she placed 65th and the team took fourth.
The women took control at the beginning of the six-kilometer race. But Washington University, currently ranked third in the nation (Div. III), surged ahead in the course's 'Wilderness Loop,' a wooded area that comprises much of the course's midsection. "Wash U. was just waiting to latch on behind us," said Erb. Their plan worked; Wash U. took first overall with 31 points, followed by Case, with 44 points.
The Spartans didn't react aggressively to Wash U.'s move. "I would have liked to see us respond better," said Cathy Lanese.
Rounding out Case's top five runners were Kristin Bowhers, who finished sixth with a time of 22:51; Andrea Fischione, 10th at 23:09; Britta Kumley, who took 11th with a time of 23:19; and Joy Zhu, who finished 16th with a time of 23:37. Fischione, a freshman, has consistently been one of the Spartans' top runners this season and came through again in Boston. "Andrea hasn't had a bad race all year," said Lanese. Freshman Justine Jeroski missed the meet with a foot injury, a substantial loss for the team. She finished sixth (Div. III) at the All-Ohio Championship.
Dominic Smith was the men's top performer, finishing fifth overall with a time of 25:20. Smith, who didn't finish in the top 20 at last year's UAA Championship, extended his six-meet streak of finishing in the top 10. "The four people who beat me have all run at multiple national meets. It was good to know that I can hang with people of that caliber," said Smith.
Ryan Gjoraas also had a quality race and helped keep the team together as a pack for the first two miles. "He was a vocal leader on the course," said Lanese. Mike Petro finished 23rd with a time of 26:13, only a few seconds away from a personal record. However, he was happiest with the team's effort. "Placing
third at the UAA meet is tremendous," said Petro. Austin Schmidt and Mike Werneiwski rounded out Case's top five, finishing 36th and 44th, respectively.
The Spartans finished two spots behind NYU, a conference heavyweight who's currently ranked second in the country (Div. III) and who swept the meet's top three spots. Carnegie Mellon, ranked 17th coming into the meet, placed second. The Spartans finished only one point ahead of Emory and three ahead of Brandeis. "Things were pretty close, granted, but we did what was needed," said Petro. Lanese was also happy with the team. "I was so ecstatic with a third-place finish that I did a cartwheel," she said.
The team was also pleased with the conditions in Boston. "It was a pretty wet, muddy course. I liked it; lots of mud and rain makes a true cross country course," said Bowhers.
