Boston College Athletics
Women's Cross Country Outlook 2006
August 24, 2006 | Women's Track & Field
Aug. 24, 2006
"This year's squad has a legitimate shot to return to the NCAA tournament," head coach Randy Thomas said. The 2006 women's cross country squad will look to improve upon their 4th place finish at the ACC Championship, and try to defend their title as NCAA Northeast Regional champions. Last year's squad was ranked most of the year, finishing 18th in the nation, and achieved a rating as high as 10th.
"Replacing Maria Cicero and Laurel Burdick to graduation might look difficult on the surface," according to Thomas. Seniors Kathleen Smyth and Jesse Mizzone take over the reigns as co-captains, and Thomas expects these seniors to step up and replace the departed graduates. Burdick received All-American honors by virtue of her 35th place finish at the 2005 NCAA National Championships and All-ACC honors for her efforts at the 2005 ACC Championship, where she placed 8th. She became the 9th Boston College female cross country athlete to earn NCAA All-American status.
The Eagles return sophomore Mallory Champa, an All-ACC candidate, who finished 13th at the Northeast Regional with a time of 21 minutes, 13 seconds and 66th at the NCAA Championship with a finish of 20 minutes, 49 seconds.
The squad also returns sophomore Nichole Lister, who finished 24th at the ACC Championship with a finish of 20 minutes, 34 seconds and 29th at the Northeast Regional with a time of 21 minutes, 49 seconds. These two runners give Boston College the strong upfront running it had in 2005.
Thomas expects a lot of competition from runners one to seven, demonstrating the depth of the team. He also believes this squad has enough talent to finish in the top three in the ACC and return into the top 15 in the nation.
Fifth-year senior Kristen Coon, who previously had taken a two-year hiatus from the team, finished 20th at the ACC Championship with a time of 20 minutes, 17 seconds. Senior Jessica Flynn, coming off her best personal season and junior Nicola Tufts provide the depth and experience needed to give the Eagles the chance to repeat as Northeast Regional champions.
Incoming freshmen Samantha Garwych, Jessica Driscoll and Brielle Chabot bring energy, youthfulness and success to the Eagles. Garwych, a native of Westerly, R.I., is a former high school national champion in the mile. Driscoll, who is from Toronto, Ontario, ran a four minute, 52 second mile in high school and placed 6th at the OFSAA meet in Toronto. Finally, Brielle Chabot, of Wellesley, Mass., was a Massachusetts State Champion in the 2-mile run. "We have an incoming class of 16 freshmen, our largest class ever," according to coach Thomas.
"This is definitely the deepest team we've had in a number of years," coach Thomas said. "We expect to build upon our success last year, and believe we can place higher in the ACC."
The women's team opens the season with the Boston College Invitational on Sept. 15 at Franklin Park. The New England Championships will be held on Oct. 7, and Oct 22, respectively, also at Franklin Park in Boston. The squad will then travel to the ACC Championship at the University of Virginia on Oct. 28. The Northeast Regional is Nov. 11 at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, NY and the 2006 NCAA Championship is hosted by Indiana State University on Nov. 20.
