W. X-Country returns satisfied

Four of Penn's top female cross country runners were thrown into this weekend's Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship with the expectation of failure. With national-powerhouse Providence competing, many believed the team title destined for a drive back to Rhode Island. The Friars were also hoping to bring home the individual titles. One of the pre-race favorites was Amy Rudolph, Providence's star runner, who regularly cracks 17 minutes. Her biggest competition for the title was expected to come from a teammate, Marie McMahon. The talented sophomore was the winner of the Oct. 8 Paul Short Invitational with a time of 17:08.0, in Rudolph's absence. An abbreviated Penn squad, missing sophomore Michelle Belsley due to injury, did not have championship dreams. The four runners, seniors Maggie Morrow, Jenee Anzelone and Jane Kim and junior Melanie Gesker, were gearing up for personal goals, including setting career bests and breaking 19 minutes. Despite the wealth of talent wearing Providence black and white, it was the Quakers who are returning home content. Big East-rival Villanova, not Providence, ended up winning the ECAC title. This was hardly an upset, since the Wildcats are five-time defending national champions. But the Friars felt this was their year, and the perception around the running community was this year's 'Nova squad was weaker than those of the past. Following Villanova (40 points) and Providence (54) were Georgetown 100; Penn State 111; and Boston College 234. The Wildcats were propelled to their 14-point victory by the first-place finish of Jennifer Rhines, who finished in a remarkable 16:25. The fifth-ranked Friars will still be heading to Fayetteville, Ark., for the NCAA Championship meet, where they again will be among the favorites to win. Villanova will be looking to extend its record streak to six straight titles. Penn, unlike Providence, accomplished and exceeded all expectations. "Everyone improved from the last meet," Gesker said. "It was a huge confidence booster for the indoor [track] season." Gesker's goal was to break the 19-minute barrier. She did so with a time of 18:59, her best time of the year. Gesker, as the lone senior on next year's squad, will be expected to fill the No. 2 spot behind Belsley. If she can continue to run sub-19-minute races, Penn could have a strong 1-2 punch next season. While Providence moves to nationals, the Quakers will begin training for the indoor track season. Penn can boast something the Friars can not -- satisfaction.