Men
The men will miss last year's lone senior runner, Dave "Flea" Schreiner, but with the rest of the veteran squad returning this season, the men's team is optimistic about its ability to build on last season's performances.
"We should have a much stronger team than last year," said Mike Harbus '08. The 2004 NESCAC Rookie of the Year, Tomas Morrissey '08, earned all-American plaudits last season and will likely lead the Jeffs again this season. Harrison Lakehomer '09 and Harbus had stellar cross country and track seasons last year, and the duo should be consistent top scorers. Additionally, many experienced varsity runners including senior co-captains Richard Wilson and Cooper Knowlton and their classmates Rob Boley, Nate Freese and Sam Hayman will be also be high on the ladder.
"We also have a solid incoming [first-year] class with 13 guys-two of them, Carlyle Eubanks and Dan Murner, should both be very good," added Harbus. With so much young blood on the team, the first-years are certain to have a significant impact on the team's performance as the season progresses.
Women
Leading the women, co-captains Shauneen Garrahan '07 and Heather Wilson '08 have big plans for the team this season. The Jeffs face the challenge of following up a season in which they finished second in the NESCAC Championships, swept the ECAC Championships, placed third at the NCAA Regional Championships and took home a seventh-place finish at the NCAA Div. III National Championships.
The squad boasts three consecutive NESCAC Rookies of the Year: Shauneen Garrahan '07, Kim Partee '08 and Nicole Anderson '09. Partee led the team with her all-American finish at nationals last year, followed closely by two-time cross-country all-American Garrahan.
Also retunrning from the team's scorers last year are Wilson, who comes off of a stellar outdoor track season, and Caitlin McDermott-Murphy '09. Finishing in the top seven for much of last season, Meg Ray '08, Zandra Walton '09 and Liz Dalton '09 are also expected to impact the team's performance this season. Six rookies will also be welcomed to the team this fall.
"We are returning the entire national's squad, along with many other girls who also have nationals experience," said Partee. "The team is packed with a lot of potential and intensity, and we are looking forward to a great upcoming season!"
The Jeffs know they have the potential to be a dominant team in the country this season, and they won't settle for anything less.
"With such a strong team we certainly have high goals expectations," said Garrahan. "This year we're aiming to win the Little Three Championships and NESCAC's, defend our ECAC title, automatically qualify for nationals by getting top two at regionals and contend for the national title."
The Jeffs will host their first meet, the annual Amherst Invitational, on Saturday, Sept. 9, giving them a chance to return to competitive running in a relaxed environment after a summer of diligent training.
NESCAC Notes
The Williams College Ephs will likely remain a cross-country powerhouse this season. The Eph women will sorely miss two of their top finishers, but return most members of the squad that clinched the NESCAC title and placed second at Nationals last year. The Eph men lose one all-American senior, and will hope to win the NESCAC crown this year after being narrowly defeated by Tufts University last season. The Ephs and the Wesleyan University Cardinals will be visiting the College on Saturday, Oct. 21 for what look to be two particularly exciting Little Three Championship races.
The Jeffs will attempt to end the stranglehold the Ephs have held on the men's title. They have had a lock on the men's title for the past 18 years and the women's title for 17 of the past 19 years.