Boston College Athletics
Women's Cross Country Ready To Emerge
August 17, 2000 | Women's Track & Field
Aug. 17, 2000
Chestnut Hill, Mass. - The rugged nature of the BIG EAST Conference, coupled with a challenging national schedule, will be a stern test for the 2000 Boston College women's cross country team. Head coach Randy Thomas, now in his 14th season at Boston College, believes this team to be capable of local, regional and national success.
At Thomas' disposal will be an arsenal that includes a seasoned corps of talented returnees and the vast potential of the newcomers.
Thomas' level of expectation for this particular group is higher than in years past. He fully expects to contend in the BIG EAST, considered by many to be the premier cross country conference in the country. In addition, anything less than a berth in the NCAA Championship field would be a disappointment.
"There is little doubt that this is the most talented and deepest team, runners one through seven, that we have ever had at Boston College," Thomas says. "I think the BIG EAST title is a realistic goal for this group."
Additionally, Thomas believes that this team has the potential to make strides on the national scene as well. In an effort to prepare his troops for the rigors of competing amongst the elite programs, Thomas has put together a challenging, national-caliber schedule.
"In order for us to be regarded as one of the top programs in the country, it is necessary to prove ourselves to the rest of the nation," Thomas says. "This is the team that is capable of making significant headway on the national scene."
Thomas is counting on his captains, senior Lisa McIsaac and junior Katie Ryan, to set a determined and disciplined tone for the upcoming season.
"It is important for us to not lose sight of our stated objectives. Remaining focused will be the key element to our success. We are going to look for Lisa McIsaac and Katie Ryan to emerge as strong leaders and stabilizing influences for this team, " the coach says.
A fifth-place finish (18:56) at the BC Cross Country Invitational and a 20th-place mark (18:11) at the New England Championship highlighted McIsaac's junior campaign. Ryan showed steady improvement throughout the 1999 season, with her most impressive performance coming in the form of a 17th-place finish at the Central Connecticut Invitational.
The Guiney twins, sophomores Cate and Maggie, are the source of much of Thomas' enthusiasm. Cate Guiney is coming off an outstanding freshman campaign, in which she won her first collegiate race (The Boston Invitational) and earned all-BIG EAST honors with her sixth-place finish at the conference championship.
Not to be outdone by her sister, Maggie Guiney began her career at Boston College by winning the Central Connecticut State Invitational and came in second the following week behind her sister at the Boston Invitational. Maggie also earned all-BIG EAST honors following her 13th-place finish at the conference championship. She again placed 13th at the NCAA District I qualifying meet and ran at the NCAA championship.
Junior Sharon VanTuyl, who raced sparingly as a sophomore due to injury, hopes to duplicate her successful freshman campaign. Sophomores Meghan Andrade and Laura Smith will look to provide depth and an added year of experience to the Eagles. These three runners have steadily improved during their time at Boston College and look to have break-through seasons.
Several newcomers will also bolster the Eagle lineup. Headlining the newcomers is sophomore transfer Julie Spolidoro, who comes to Boston College by way of Old Dominion. Spolidoro earned the 1999 Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) rookie of the year honors, in addition to all-CAA and all-South region honors. She placed sixth at the CAA championship and 18th at the NCAA regional.
To complement the veterans, Thomas has brought in a talent-laden recruiting class of Jennifer Donovan, Danielle Jelley and Jennifer Kramer. This trio, who all hail from the state of New York, bring a national-level mentality to the program.
"The difference between our program now and two years ago is the fact that the freshmen do not have to shoulder the load," Thomas says. "Given the talent and experience of the upperclassmen, we can let the freshmen develop and get acclimated to the collegiate experience at a slower pace. In the past, our freshmen have had to step in and bear the burden as soon as they set foot on campus."
Without question, the 2000 season has the potential to be Boston College's finest team in years.
"If we think and act as a team, there is little doubt in my mind that this season could be very special."
