Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Complete Winter and Spring Track Seasons
6/4/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country & Track
June 4, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill. - The 2002-03 college track season has come and gone, and though Northwestern does not officially have a track program there were many highlights by the Wildcat cross country runners. Head coach Amy Tush, who led the team to an NCAA Championship appearance last fall -- NU's first appearance in the national championship race since it was brought back as a varsity in 1998 -- is hoping the success on the oval leads to another historic campaign on the trails next fall.
Below is a rundown of the highlights from the various events in which the Wildcats competed this winter and spring.
Feb. 14 -- USATF Winter Cross Country Nationals (Houston)
The entire Wildcat team traveled to Texas to compete with some of the best in the world. It was an amazing opportunity for the women to compete with the country's most elite cross country runners.
Feb. 21 -- Lewis University Open (Romeoville, Ill.)
Despite having just a 10-minute warmup, the Distance Medley Relay team of Laura Evans, Kalysta Harmon, Nora Colligan and Diana Hossfeld went out and not only won the event, but also set a Lewis Fieldhouse record of 12:30. About an hour later, Evans came back and set a fieldhouse record by winning the open 3000 in 10:12.
April 10 -- Sea Ray Relays (Knoxville, Tenn.)
In their first outdoor track competition of the offseason, five NU runners competed against quality competition on a soggy day in Knoxville. Nicole Kuznia led the way by placing seventh in the 3000 steeplechase (11:32). Colligan clocked 10:34 in the open 3000, Harmon went 4:47 in the 1500, and in the open 5000 Evans clocked 17:55 with Emily Blakeslee right on her heels in 17:59.
April 17 -- Mount Sac Relays (Los Angeles)
Hossfeld -- a two-time All-District runner for NU in cross country -- celebrated a return to her home state by competing with some of the elite runners in the college women's open 5000 and placing 15th with a personal-best 17:14. In an elite field of racewalkers, meanwhile, Alessandra Vavas placed second to the national champion in the mile; her time was 8:02.
April 19 -- Elmhurst Open (Elmhurst, Ill.)
Personal bests for Harmon in the 800 (2:17) and Colligan in the 3000 steeplechase (11:31).
April 26 -- Purdue Invitational (West Lafayette, Ind.)
Catie LaBracke had a great race in the 3000 steeplechase, clocking a personal-best 11:59.04, while Colligan again lowered her PR with an 11:27.04. Evans, meanwhile, was victorious in the 10,000 with a time of 36:58.89, while Blakeslee was fifth (38:11.10) and Nicole Kalogeropoulos was ninth (39:56.79).
