The Lesley University Men's and Women's Cross Country team is entering championship season. The next two races are the reason why we work so hard all summer and through the fall. The work has been done by now. All that is left is to keep loose and hopefully we have a good day when we step up to the starting line.
This upcoming Saturday we compete against the rest of our conference. We get the opportunity to match up against other schools who have similar number of undergraduate students and similar tuition costs. All of these schools are located in the New England states. Some examples are Newbury College, Mitchell College and Daniel Webster College.
The women go into this race ranked #1. They won last year and this year they have beaten every NECC team that they have come across. Noa Kupfer is looking to win the entire race. Jess Arnold is our top rookie and may be the top rookie of the year. These are all exciting awards for the women but nothing has happened yet. Nothing can happen until they execute. Hard work and smart running will be the key to this race if anyone wants to see success.
The men have a tough task as well. They were ranked #3 coming into this year but have beaten both teams ranked ahead of them this season. But it is close. Mitchell College has a strong men's team that is not going to go away or give up without a fight. Daniel Webster is the defending champions and is looking to make a splash. This three way battle will not end until every runner has completed the 5 mile course in Chicopee, MA. It is going to come down to all 7 runners on each team. It may be the closest championship race I have ever witnessed. Of course, the race will be led by Fran Cusick of Lesley and not far behind is Hoffman of Mitchell College. Axelrod of Lesley will have his hands full as he looks to fend off Eric Appleby. Gus Peluso has his eyes set on the tough Mitchell runner named Kodsi. Every Lesley runner has a guy to beat and anything can happen. Like I said, this is going to be exciting.
In my four years as head coach, this year has been the most exciting. There are so many sub plots. Will Fran and Noa break the course record? Will Sarah Chafe make All-Conference? How will Janice Catalano run in her last NECC race? Will Peluso win the coveted Coach's jacket? Who will achieve success under the ultimate pressure?
The weather forecast says rain. Lesley will be ready. Will you?
1 comment:
Good Luck Coach and Team.
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