Women Runners Crowned N.E. Champs

Author: Peter Yordan

On the cusp of greatness once again, Middlebury's women's cross country dynasty will seek to further burden their overflowing trophy case when the team attempts to garner its third national championship in the last four years this weekend. The team earned its plane tickets to Indiana after a resounding 26-point victory last weekend in the New England Regionals and will now look to fulfill the promise of it's number-one national ranking by winning the NCAA Championship.

The distinguished team is no stranger to big pressure situations, having won the prestigious NESCAC crown in early November before turning its sites to the New England Regional Championship in Maine last Saturday. Once again the Panthers wasted no time leaving their competition to stare helplessly at the heels of their sneakers. "The New England region is generally agreed to be the strongest region in the nation," said Coach Terry Aldrich. "For us to win by 26 points is a huge confidence booster going into nationals." With their typical verve and alacrity the Middlebury-led pack of five blew by its illustrious competition to hoard five spots in the top 20. Team number one Jess Manzer '05 led the way with a powerful forth place finish, while veteran co-captain Molly Yazwinski '04 finished side-by-side with her first-year teammate Erin Archard in the eight and nine spots. Another star rookie, Andrea Giddings '07, came in seven seconds later to snatch 13th place. Marisa Cawley '05 hammered home the victory right after that with 17th place to give Middlebury a deserved first place and a shot at the national title. "I think we're pretty confident," said Yazwinski. "If that was the hardest part having won that gives us momentum."

The team knows it made a strong declaration of its intentions for this weekend's race at Hanover College in Indiana by performing so well in the tough New England finale. "It makes it not as intimidating as it could be having the toughest competition out of the way already," said Cawley.

The Panthers recognize that they can't let up, however, as every one of the best teams from around the country will be gunning to take down the queen bees of Division III running. "Our coach always tells us there are a lot of teams who are aiming to get Midd," said Cawley. "Anyone can bring out an amazing race. It's scary because we haven't run against tons of these teams." While everyone in Indiana will know about two-time champion Middlebury and its number-one ranking, the Panthers know little about such teams as number-three-ranked University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Aldrichowever, believes his team is where it needs to be. "I put high expectations on the team to start with," he said. "But they are running better than I thought they would." The older members of the squad have no shortage of experience, with some like Yazwinski set to make their fourth visit to Nationals. After winning the title in 2000 and 2001 Middlebury came up short last year, finishing 2nd to Williams. The squad will be relying on new blood like Giddings and Archard to help them win back their rightful crown. "That's the beauty of our three fearless freshmen. They're not intimidated at all by any competition," said Aldrich. Two-time champ Yazwinski looked at how her crew shaped up to her past championship squads. "This team is the most relaxed team. Everyone's out to have fun," she said. "This team has as good a chance as any of the others." On Saturday they will see for sure how they stack up to their past.