With 11 freshmen giving them more depth than last year's squad, the Penn's women's cross-country team hopes to have a strong start to its season this weekend at Van Cortland Park in New York.
"We have a very large incoming class that's doing a wonderful job," assistant coach Tony Tenisci said. "But they haven't raced yet at a Division-I level."
Seniors Emily Logan and Elaina Lord, juniors Anna-Marie Allander and Claire Duncan and sophomore Christine Myers will be expected to lead the team this weekend at the Fordham Invitational, as well as for the entire season.
The Quakers will miss two graduated stars from the top of the lineup this season in last year's No. 1 runner Abigail Gleeson and No. 3 Kristen Koch.
Myers was the only freshman to be ranked in the top five on the team. But with so much "fresh meat" this year, Tenisci is excited.
"Younger people bring fresh energy and it's neat," he said. "We have more to work with and more to be excited about."
Although freshman Jacqueline Dunn admits to feeling slightly nervous about her first collegiate race, she is somewhat eased by the fact that it will not be her first time running at Van Cortland Park.
"I'd like to beat my time from last year," Dunn said. "At practice, we've done lots of hill work and tempo runs, so I feel ready."
Prior to the first practice on Aug. 28, the team was on a strict practice schedule over the summer. Tenisci and head coach Gwen Harris gave them a full program that began July 1.
"The training I put in this summer made me feel as though I acquired a good base to work off of now," Allander said. "Basically most of the work I did this summer was building mileage."
A predominantly middle-distance runner, Allander will not compete in every cross-country meet this weekend. Her competitive season begins next weekend.
"The top upperclassmen are in great shape," Tenisci said. "Hopefully they will run to their potential."
According to Tenisci, it's hard for the coaching staff to predict how the newcomers will do. He and Harris have not seen them race yet and this race "looks easy but is really tough."
Despite this, the Quakers have positive memories of this traditional season-starter. In 2001, they finished fifth overall and last year jumped to a second-place overall finish.
Both coaches hope that the experienced members of the Quakers will pass on their knowledge and lead their younger teammates through the season.
"This season I'd like to keep improving my times, to get used to running in college," Dunn said. "And to help the team do better than last year."
After a disappointing eighth-place finish at the season-ending Heptagonal Championships last fall, the Class of 2007 gives Penn hope for this year.
"We have a really strong group of freshmen," Allander said. "As well, our returning upperclassmen are looking to be in good form and ready to improve a lot from last year.
"I think our X-C team is going to surprise a lot of people this year."
Season Preview Home field: Franklin Field Last year: Eighth at Heptagonal Championships Key losses (2): Abigail Gleeson, Kristen Koch Key returners (5): Emily Logan, Elaina Lord, Anna-Marie Allander, Claire Duncan, Christine Myers >Key meet: Heptagonals, Oct. 31, Penn will need its freshmen to mature quickly, as Heptagonal Championships are only the fourth meet of the season. The Quakers look to rebound from their eighth-place finish last year.
Player to watch: Elaina Lord The senior finished 27th at Heptagonal Championships last fall in 18:35. She will be looked upon to lead a young, yet talented, team during the fall campaign.
