Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Set to Open Season at Illinois State
9/12/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country & Track
Sept. 12, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. - For the Northwestern women's cross country team, the 2002 season has arrived -- finally. The Wildcats open the campaign by running at the Illinois State Invitational Saturday morning, trekking the course that they will see again in November when they run at the NCAA Midwest Regional.
The opening meet comes a week later than expected for the Wildcats. They were supposed to start last weekend at the Elmhurst (Ill.) Invitational, but that meet was cancelled.
In this first meet, head coach Amy Tush will run all of her athletes. The lone exception may be NU's top runner the last two years, Rachel Evjen, who is battling some minor injuries and may sit out. However, she will travel with the team to Normal and take a light jog to get a glimpse of the course.
"To be honest, I'm surprised at the number of teams that are not making the trip," said Tush. "This seems like a great opportunity to see the course before November and start developing a strategy for that race."
Tush has been pleased with the progress of her team through the unintentionally extended preseason.
"So far, Nicole Kuznia has been a machine and led the way," she said. "But we've got a solid seven right now, which is a good thing to have. With five scorers in each meet, we have the luxury of being able to rely on different people."
Tush also is happy with the return of senior Laura Evans and junior Emily Blakeslee, both of whom scored consistently in 2000 but missed the 2001 season with injuries.
"Laura has been running great," said Tush. "Emily is still getting over some soreness from her injuries, but she is coming along. I expect she'll be where she needs to be as the season progresses."
Race time in Normal, Ill., is 9:30 a.m. Central on Saturday.
