SEASON PREVIEW: W. Track relies on talented freshmen

As the 1995 Penn women's track team heads into its first weekend of competition, it is seeking to establish itself as an upcoming young team. This year's team hopes to accomplish two goals: duplicate last year's successful indoor winter season and erase the bitter memories of a disappointing spring outdoors. "We really didn't hold up very well," Penn coach Betty Costanza said of the spring season. "Unlike many teams," Costanza continued, "track trains from September through the end of May, and you're going to get nagging little aches and pains. You just hope that they don't develop into full blown injuries?I don't foresee that problem occurring this year." The confidence Costanza exudes owes in part to her large (27 strong) and talented freshman class. When looking at the recruits Costanza pointed to a "few key freshmen" she thinks will have an immediate impact this season: runners Kim Mason, Sonya Crosswell and Lisa El, and Luanna Botelho, Mandy Benney and Lea Lavassaur in the field. Along with 27 new faces, there are only two seniors on this year's women's track team. With youth on their side, Costanza realizes this season is not a must-win situation for the Quakers. "Every meet must be taken in stride and can't be overlooked?We need to accomplish things in each meet, to work up to the [season-ending Heps] championship," said Costanza. The guidance and leadership that will be necessary for the Quakers to remain focused throughout the season will fall on the shoulders of their two captains, Kelley King and Angie Jimenez. "We are definitely more talented and motivated" this season, said Jimenez, who has also noticed "freshmen runners coming in and putting fire under the upperclassmen because everyone really wants to do well this year." Both captains and the coaches appear to agree this year's team is full of extremely talented runners. But Costanza remained cautious. "I don't know what kind of talent the rest of the league has yet." she said. What the Quakers do know is that in the past the women's track team has dominated every event from the half-mile down but has had trouble scoring points in distance events. Penn's top cross-country runner and best half-miler, Michelle Belsley will help in these events. Nonetheless, the Quakers are worried about the lack of depth. "We are hurting in the distance area," Costanza said. "Also because Michelle Belsley is so versatile we don't know where we are going to use her. She could run any event from the half mile to the 2-mile." As Costanza and Penn assistant Toni Tenisci prepare the team for the Navy Invitational Friday and the Lafayette Invitational Saturday, both realize the toughest part of the new season will be deciding which event is best for each person on the team. "There are some young incoming half-milers, and as a team we just need to see where people are going to fit in," Costanza said. "Until we have a couple of races under our belt, we will not know for sure." Even though the 1995 Penn women's track team has yet to run a race or throw a discus, the Quakers have already hurdled many of their past problems in the eyes of their coach. "Along with training more this year, there is a desire to win and commitment to the program and that makes a big difference," Costanza said. Jimenez agreed: "This year's team has more fire and desire to win than in the past couple of years."