Northwestern University Athletics
Cross Country Begins 2003 Season With Wildcat Open
8/30/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country & Track
Aug. 30, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill. -
Saturday morning's cool weather was perfect for running. Cross country head coach Amy Tush couldn't have asked for a more perfect opportunity to analyze this year's squad.
The 2003 Wildcat Open was the backdrop for Tush's run, a season-opening gathering of current players and a few alumni.
"This is a great race to see where we are in comparison to last season," said Tush. "We had eight in before the top five and three in before the top runner, so if you want to compare this year to last year, we are ahead of the game."
Northwestern's veterans set the pace, with seniors Nora Colligan (Rockford, Mich.), Emily Blakeslee (Rockford, Mich.), and Nicole Kalogeropoulos (Hoffman Estates, Ill.) as well as junior Diana Hossfeld (Newport Beach, Calif.) finishing in the top four.
"Our seniors really stepped it up today. We expect and have great senior leadership, and they all want to run their best going into their final season."
Tush's staff and the gathered spectators also had a chance to see what the freshman class will bring to the mix. Finishing fifth was Evergreen, Colo. native Casey Shea, while rookie Katie Romaine (Phoenix, Ariz.) also finished in the top ten overall. Classmate Mallory O'Neil was one second behind.
"I was happy to see that we have freshmen wanting to make an immediate impact," said Tush. "With the addition of our rookies to the established runners, we are exactly where we want to be."
Two alumni also took part in the race. Academic All-Big Ten runners Nicole Kuznia and Karen Rogers, who both competed in their final seasons in 2002, finished midway between their former teammates.
The Wildcats will begin competition on September 6 when they travel to Terre Haute, Ind. for the Sycamore Open.
2003 Wildcat Open Results
1. Nora Colligan; 13:41
2. Emily Blakeslee; 13:44
3. Diana Hossfeld; 13:59
4. Nicole Kalogeropoulos; 14:20
5 Casey Shea; 14:25
6. Catie LaBracke; 14:33
7. Lesley Meade; 14:38
8. Kalysta Harmon; 14:46
9. Lindsay McAlister; 15:00
10. Katie Romaine; 15:00
11. Mallory O'Neil; 15:01
12. Rachel Rud; 15:08
13 .Caroline Speirs; 15:43
14. Melinda Ratz; 15:49
15. Jessica Anderson; 15:51
16. Jamie Knight; 15:56
17. Lisa Marx; 16:49
18. Ali Vavas 17:04
19. Julie Gamble 18:23
20. Karen Stene; 18:40
21. Lauren Cousert; 18:53
