Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Getting the Fire For Pre-Nationals
10/16/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country & Track
Oct. 16, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill. - It was a year ago, at the 2002 Pre-National Meet, that the Northwestern women's cross country team got its first big shot of confidence -- a shot that eventually carried the Wildcats to their first NCAA Championship appearance since the sport was brought back as a varsity in 1998.
This year, as the team heads to the 2003 version of the race in Waterloo, Iowa -- also site of November's NCAA Championships -- head coach Amy Tush says that is what she has been focusing on again: confidence.
"We have spent the last few weeks trying to get their confidence up," she said. "I think we lost a little bit of it at the Griak race (Sept. 27), but the drills we have been running them through have been designed to show them that they are excellent runners and can compete at the top levels."
A shot of confidence would certainly come at the right time. While the Pre-National race is technically not a part of the "championship" season -- the start would come November 2 at the Big Ten Championships -- it is certainly a race that is taken seriously by everyone in the country and serves as an excellent measuring stick.
"It is not part of the championship season, but it many ways it is kind of a start," said Tush. "Most of the top teams in the country will be there; so many teams come that they have to split the races up and run two groups (Northwestern will run in the Gold race at approximately 12:55 p.m.). This is a good way for us to figure out where we stand nationally, and also within the conference and regionally because a lot of those teams will be at this meet.
"I feel good about how things have been going, though. Our women are ready to run well."
Tush will bring seven women to Waterloo, including two freshmen (Casey Shea, Mallory O'Niel) and a sophomore (Kalysta Harmon). However, she is upbeat about their attitudes heading into the weekend.
"I don't expect any of them to be intimidated by the atmosphere surrounding the race," said Tush. "Casey likes to talk about 'getting the fire' and I think she is excited for the attention and excitement of this race."
While seven women run in Waterloo, most of the rest of the team will head north of Evanston to Kenosha, Wis. to take part in the UW-Parkside Open. Tush sees this race as important for several women.
"We are allowed to bring nine women to Big Tens in a few weeks, so everyone in Kenosha will be racing for those final spots." she said.
NU Runners at Pre-Nationals
Emily Blakeslee, Sr.
Nora Colligan, Sr.
Kalysta Harmon, So.
Diana Hossfeld, Jr.
Nicole Kalogeropoulos, Sr.
Mallory O'Niel, Fr.
Casey Shea, Fr.
