Women

Despite losing last year’s leading scorer, five-time All-American Heather Wilson, the team returns several NCAA performers, including recent Div. III Cross Country runner-up Elise Tropiano ’09, a tri-captain.

The distance runners recently proved their talent by qualifying for the Div. III Cross Country Championships despite many injuries and illnesses and will look to transfer that success to the track when they begin competing in January.

The mid-distance and sprinters, many of whom will compete at Smith, are also eager for the season. “The women’s sprint and middle distance group is looking really good. We didn’t lose anyone to graduation, so we have a strong group of returning runners. Everyone put in a lot of work during the preseason, which I think will have a big payoff,” said tri-captains Carly Levenson ’09 and Kate Silverman ’09 in a joint statement.

The throwers will prove competive this year as Jordan Roehl ’12 joins Sarah Leyman ’11.

Men

The men’s distance squad will be bolstered by recent cross country runners. “Carlyle Eubank ’10, Eric Holaday ’10, Harrison Lakehomer ’09, Dan Murner ’10, and Will Yochum ’11 should be a force to be reckoned with in the long-distance events. Few other teams in the region can challenge that group’s depth of talent in the 5000,” said tri-captain Peter Foote ’09.

The mid-distance squad will also look for success. “Jimmy Swanson ’10, fresh off a very strong cross country season, will lead the milers and is our best hope for a national qualifier,” said Foote. The tri-captain also projects a strong DMR that might include Ben Scheetz ’12, Steve Corsello ’12, and tri-captain Kit Callahan ’10.

Tri-captain Anthony Fuller ’09 predicts the sprinters will have a breakthrough year. “This year the men’s team has a bunch of new freshmen sprinters, along with sophomore Tom Moore … so we should improve greatly in that area,” said Fuller.