Cross country competes after month-long break

Saturday was the first time in nearly a month that the cross country team competed against an actual opponent.

The men and women did not fare as well this time as they did in claiming both titles in their season opener, but they managed to turn in solid 15th and 14th place finishes respectively in the highly competitive Notre Dame Invitational.

Coach Michael Whittlesey said the three-week layoff between the two meets had mixed effects on the team.

“We were able to get a lot of good training in,” he said. “Fitness-wise, we’re in a very good position.

“We just need to focus on racing preparation on day of the meet.”

Whittlesey said practical errors cost the men, as junior Zack Dawson was the only member to place in the top 50.

But Dawson, who finished 49th with a time of 24:34, was followed by newcomer Evan Watchempino two spots later.

The women fared better, and senior All-America Brie Felnagle claimed the title in her first competitive race of the season, edging out Florida State All-America Susan Kuijken with a personal-best time of 16:21.

Whittlesey said he also was impressed once again with the efforts of junior Lauren Holesh, who placed 15th. The junior turned in her second consecutive personal-best time with a 17:03 finish — more than a minute faster than her previous best.

But the coach said the women must shore up the 3-4-5 spots if the team hopes to contend in the future. He said they need to give themselves a chance at the end of the race by getting out at the start.

“In a race like that, 10 seconds can be 15 to 20 spots,” he said. “You can change the score drastically without improving much time-wise.”

The women and men will both look to improve their racing technique Oct. 17 when they compete in the Mountaineer Open at Appalachian State.

Whittlesey said he expects the team to improve with two races now under its belt.



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