Northwestern University Athletics
Women's Cross Country Ready to Run
9/6/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country & Track
Sept. 6, 2001
EVANSTON, Ill. - For the first time this fall, the Northwestern women's cross country program is ready to unveil its full entourage of runners. And when they say full, they mean it.
When the Wildcats line up at the start of Friday evening's Bradley Open in Peoria, everyone on the roster will be there.
"We are allowed to run everybody at one race each year, and Friday's race will be the one," said new head coach Amy Tush. "The women have been training for so long, I want all of them to get race experience and refresh themselves on the feeling surrounding a race. It will be good for them to be out there together."
Friday's race starts at 5:30 p.m.
After a successful 2000 campaign, expectations are high for the coming season. And when Coach Tush is asked about her leaders, some familiar names pop up.
Rachel Evjen (Eau Claire, Wis./North), who led NU in every race last year, is injury-free and looking to again front the squad. Karen Rogers (St. Louis, Mo./Kirkwood) was cited for her preseason work, and will be looking to score consistently again this fall. Laura Evans (Christiansburg, Va./Christiansburg) should also stand out, as she did last year en route to All-Big Ten and all-regional honors.
However, Tush also noted a duo - one freshman, one senior - who made a favorable impression last week at the UIC Home Opener.
"Diana Hossfeld (Newport Beach, Calif./Corona Del Mar) ran a great race last weekend," said Tush of the freshman. "We are excited about what she can do for us. And Sara Jurek (Tulsa, Okla./Cascia Hall) ran a very good race, and could end up being a help for us this season."
Friday's race will be run in a dual fashion, meaning Northwestern will be scored against every other school as if the Wildcats were running against each of those schools individually. However, among the several schools involved are 23rd-ranked Marquette and Big Ten rival Illinois.
"We are going to see just how good we are on Friday," said Tush.
