Northwestern University Athletics
The 2002 Cross Country Outlook
8/30/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country & Track
Aug. 30, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. - It was in this space a year ago that the following line was written: "the time is now."
Turns out that premonition was premature.
Fate played a cruel trick on the Northwestern women's cross country team in 2001, as injuries knocked out two of the Wildcats' top runners for the season. As a result, a campaign that began with high expectations and promise fell woefully short.
However, that which does not kill us makes us stronger -- or so the saying goes. With that in mind, the tribulations endured by the 'Cats in 2001 leaves them with a group that could ensure a bonanza in 2002. Suddenly, Northwestern is deep and experienced.
The biggest key is the return of Laura Evans and Emily Blakeslee. Evans is a fifth-year senior who earned All-District and second-team All-Big Ten in 2000 before missing last year. Blakeslee, meanwhile, was a highly-touted freshman in 2000 and did not disappoint. She scored in every meet she ran and finished 21st at the Big Ten Championships and 30th at the NCAA Midwest Regional. Later on that year, she competed for the United States junior team at the World Cross Country Championships. Expected to break out as a star last year, she was also hampered by injuries.
"I am very excited to say that both Laura and Emily are 100 percent healthy and ready to add to our team again this year," said head coach Amy Tush, who enters her second season at the Northwestern helm. "I think they will come back stronger than ever, especially Laura who is facing her final season."
A trio of seniors have been mainstays among Northwestern's scorers for three years now, and with Evans in tow they make one of the most formidable senior classes in not just the Big Ten but the country.
The torch-bearer is Rachel Evjen, who has led the Wildcats in every race she has run the last two years. She became NU's first first-team All-Big Ten runner last year, and is a two-time All-District performer, and will set the pace for her teammates.
"I am so impressed with how mature Rachel has become in the last year," said Tush. "She has become a smart runner, and I'm looking for great things from her this fall."
Two more seniors have been regular scorers for the 'Cats during their entire careers, and 2002 should be no different for Karen Rogers and Nicole Kuznia. Rogers was NU's third runner in every race she ran last year, while Kuznia was NU's fourth finisher in all of her six races.
"I'm counting on Karen to be a major contributor this year," said Tush. "Nicole had some nagging injuries last year, but she fought through them to have a great spring season. She will be a driving force in 2002."
When Nora Colligan originally arrived at Northwestern, she figured to pack a mean one-two punch with Blakeslee, her high school teammate. Last year, while Blakeslee was injured, Colligan stepped up and finished just out of the scoring in every race she ran last year. This year, she's hoping to crack NU's top five.
"Nora has continued to improve throughout the off-season, and I think she has great motivation to be ready for the fall," said Tush.
Another junior, Nicole Kalogeropoulos, came on strong as the 2001 season progressed and ended up competing in the Big Ten and Midwest Regional meets. Classmate Catie LaBracke will look to crack the lineup this year, as well.
Among the sophomores, Diana Hossfeld proved to be the most pleasant surprise last year. She was NU's second runner in every major race, earning second-team All-Big Ten and All-District honors.
"Diana is probably the most patient runner I have ever coached," said Tush. "In my opinion, she will be the backbone to our success in the upcoming season."
Kyna Forkins ran at Big Tens last year and hopes to be a consistent scorer in 2002, something Tush is also looking for from Caroline Speirs, Beth Kobeszka and Alessandra Vavas.
Tush also is looking at several newcomers to put their stamp on this loaded lineup, saying "this new group will bring the depth and experience we need to be successful."
"We have high goals of winning the Big Ten meet and making the NCAA Championship meet," continued Tush as she was asked to assess the season. "We have the talent and the drive to do well, and I expect everyone is very hungry after last fall."
