X-country takes it national

By Jon Cohen

In the fall of 2000, the Yale women's cross-country team ran to its best finish in years, winning the Ivy League Championship and qualifying for the NCAA national championships, where Yale finished third. Though the team lost several cogs in its running arsenal to graduation last May, the youthful Bulldogs nonetheless entered the season with optimism. Thus far, they have delivered, adding a win at the Heptagonal Championships on Fri., Oct. 26 to their already impressive list of accomplishments in 2001.

COURTESY SPORTS PUBLICITY After taking care of their Ivy foes at the Heps, the Bulldogs prepare for stiffer competition.

Led by Captain Millie Grinstead, TC '02, and top runners Kate O'Neill, TD '03, and Laura O'Neill, TC '03, the Bulldogs have enjoyed consistency throughout the season. On Sat., Oct. 6, they dominated the H-Y-P Championships, then returned the next week to finish ninth at the NCAA Pre-Nationals.

"Our team is young, and we're a little more inexperienced than we were last year," Grinstead said. "In some ways, though, we're fresher, and I think that's helped."

Bulldog runners point to dedication and a strategic practice regimen implemented by Head Coach Mark Young, ES '68, as keys to their success this season. Several Bulldog runners significantly lowered their times over the summer and have stepped into the roles left by last year's graduating class.

"Our coach designs our practices so that we peak at the end of the season, so that we're at our best when we need to be," Grinstead said. "Things are easier because people worked hard over the summer to improve their times. The people who are returning are better than they were last year."

As expected, the O'Neill twins have led the way for the Bulldogs. All-Americans last fall, the O'Neills are not only the best runners in the Ivy League, but the best runners in the Northeast region. They finished first and second at the H-Y-P Championships, and first and third at the Heptagonals.

"I'm very pleased with how I've done," Laura O'Neill said. "Our team works very well together and we have a great coach, so it's easy to get motivated."

Grinstead pointed to several key runners as having "filled in the gaps" left by last year's graduates. Amanda Brewster, BR '03, running sixth last year, has leapt to the third spot. Twins Nadia Sawicki, TD '04, and Alexandra Sawicki, SY '04, have also stepped up.

"Kate and Laura always come up huge," Grinstead said. "They've set the pace for us, but our other runners have gotten better. The main reason we've done well this year is because the gap between the first and fifth runners is smaller than we thought it would be."

While only three meets remain on the 2001 schedule, these three meets will define the Bulldogs' season. The NCAA District I Qualifiers are scheduled for Sat., Nov. 10 in Boston, to be followed by the ECAC Championships on Sat., Nov. 17, and the NCAA championships on Mon., Nov. 19. Even with their inexperience, the 2001 Bulldogs expect success this season, especially after their strong finish at last year's NCAAs.

"This year's team has a different feel than last year's," Grinstead said. "We are optimistic, but we have even higher expectations."

Back to Sports...