After a 16th place finish at Nationals last year-in the first appearance by an Amherst cross country team-there are high expectations for the women's cross country team.
"I think we will have one of the best women's teams in the country," said Head Coach Erik Nedeau. "We expect to finish in the top four or five in the country."
Led by Katie Scangos '02, the team will return all but one of the top runners from last year's squad. Scangos, who was named to the All-NESCAC first team last year, paced the Jeffs with a 16th place finish at Nationals.
Co-captains Cecily Brewer '02 and Molly Burnett '02 will also be counted on to score for the Jeffs.
"If we stay healthy all season long, we can do very well this season," said Nedeau.
Last year the men did not meet as much success as the women did, but they should find improvement this year as well.
"We are looking to build on last year's team," said Nedeau. "Many of our top guys were freshmen last year, so the year of experience should really help."
Led by a trio of underclassmen-Alex Lenkoski '03, Mike Page '04 and John Stanton-Geddes '04-the 2000 cross country team finished 11th at New Englands.
Providing senior leadership for the Jeffs will be Co-captains Ben Kozyak '02 and Rusty Ryan '02.
"Realistically, we would like to finish seventh or better at New Englands this year," said Nedeau.