Running indoors presents many challenges to athletes — cottonmouth and claustrophobia, to name a couple — but the activity doesn’t change too much. The track is 200 meters (half of a standard outdoor track) but the event distances are essentially the same as they are in outdoor track.
Amherst will certainly notice the absence of standout Elise Tropiano ’09. National champion and one of Amherst’s best runners of all time, Tropiano dominated the three-kilometer and five-kilometer events on the indoor track last year.
However, the Jeffs are prepared to run hard and with a lot of school pride. Several individuals are expected to stand out, and the team has high hopes that it can advance to the National Championships.
Senior Keith Pendergrass has been running track since he was a freshman. In anticipation of this winter’s season, he said, “With a strong beginning of official training and the continuing success of the cross country team this season, the ’09-’10 indoor season looks very promising for both the men and women.”
Pendergrass is a middle-distance runner who specializes in the 400-meter run, but he foresees excellent seasons for the other runners, as well.
“The men’s sprint crew returns all but one member from last year and is poised to have its best season of recent years,” said Pendergrass. “We are looking forward to joining with the mid and distance crews during Interterm when the whole team will come together to train in preparation for the championship season.”
Mary Doris Reggie ’10, the captain of the women’s sprint crew, acknowledges that a lot of last year’s talent graduated in the spring. However, she expects the newer runners and veteran athletes to make up for that.
“We are all really excited about the upcoming season,” she said. “We lost a lot of great runners to graduation last year, but we have a strong incoming class. Our rookie short sprinters, Jess [Mueller ’13] and Jade [McKnight ’13], have already shown some amazing potential.”
Reggie also added, “Most of the distance team is still focused on cross country right now, but they will be a huge asset once they join us at the track.”
Indeed, Sophia Galleher ’10 will be joining the distance crew after her dominant cross country season comes to a close, and senior Kit Callahan will also be a significant addition to the team.
Erik Nedeau, who keeps busy year-round as the cross country, indoor track and outdoor track head coach, will be assisted this year by Amherst alumni, Steve Shashy ’07. “Shash,” a former sprinter for the Jeffs, will undoubtedly have much to contribute to the program.
“Shash has been a huge help so far,” said Reggie. “His close attention will help to keep us strong and healthy throughout the long season ahead.”
Said Shashy, “It’s apparent that our sprinters, hurdlers, jumpers and throwers have had productive falls. We as a coaching staff have been impressed, and, in some cases, pleasantly surprised with the shape in which our athletes have put themselves. That means that we will be able to build a stronger workout base before focusing on speed.”
Looking ahead at the season to come, Shashy mentioned, “In the season-wide view, the goal is obviously to qualify as many individuals and relays as possible [for the National Championships]. The early-season work of our student-athletes will undoubtedly pay dividends in late January and early February when the indoor championship season rolls around. Right now, the most immediate goal is to get everyone through our early season meet on Dec. 5 at Smith College injury-free and eager to compete following the December recess.”
“The team as a whole has a high level of talent over all distances and class years that should lead to many championship-qualifying marks,” added Pendergrass.
The coaches and athletes are clearly anticipating a very successful season. The first meet will be on Dec. 5 at Smith College, and the season will continue through the National Championships in mid-March.