Women's Cross Country Team Opens Season Friday
August 29, 2002 | Women's Cross Country
Aug. 29, 2002
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Louisville women's cross country team will field a veteran group of runners this year as it opens the 2002 season Friday evening at the Indiana Open in Bloomington.
The Cardinals welcome back seven of eight runners from last year and have higher expectations for this upcoming season. Alicia Cavender, the team's top finisher in all five meets last year, is the lone runner not returning as she graduated after a stellar four-year career with the Cardinals.
"It is going to be a very difficult task to fill Alicia's shoes, and I don't think any one athlete could do it," said head coach Warren Bye. "We have a solid group that will run as a close pack and make it a challenge for other runners to surpass them. As a team, these women will help make up for the loss of Alicia."
Returning to lead the Cardinals are juniors Emily Daunhauer, Laine Hamman and Beth Wendt and sophomores Heather Griffith and Corryn McCrae. All five improved their 5000-meter times by more than one minute over the course of last season and had a combined 10 top-25 finishes.
"It will be fun to watch these talented student-athletes take turns at the front of the pack," said Bye. "They have all worked hard this summer and have returned ready to take their racing to the next level."
Adding depth to the Cards will be senior Carrie Besser and freshmen Crystal Duffala, Emily Leeper and Ashley Ruberg.
"We are looking forward to our race at Indiana because we will finally see how our veterans and newcomers run together," said Bye. "It is too early to tell exactly how our freshmen will compete, but I am confident that our newest additions will make a strong contribution."
Friday's race will begin at 5:45 EDT at the IU Campus Course. The meet is the first of seven regular-season competitions for the Cardinals before they travel to Hattiesburg, Miss., for the Conference USA Championships on Nov. 2.
The Cards will compete twice in their home city this season. On Sept. 28, the Greater Louisville Sports Commission is hosting the Greater Louisville Classic at Tom Sawyer Park. U of L will host the Cardinal Cross Country Classic on Oct. 5 at the U of L Shelby Campus.
"My main goal this season is to place in the top four at conference," said Bye. "These women have worked very hard over the summer and are in great condition right now. I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do."
