BATES WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY 2001 IN REVIEW

Rebecca Hakala '02 and Elizabeth Wallace '03 were the captains of the 24 member squadin 2001. Traditionally a very close team, a ropes course challenge and an overnight trip to the coast quickly connected the new members to the team. Multiple training venues and the addition of Bates' new outdoor track brought variety to the training and provided great options on rainy days.

The Bobcats won the Smith Invitational in the season opener and were 5th of 27 teams at the UMass Dartmouth Invitational. The team was 9th of 19 teams at the Codfish Bowl Invitational and third of 10 teams in the State of Maine Championship. Bates finished 10th at the NESCAC Conference Championship and moved up from 16th to 13th at the NCAA Regional Qualifying Meet. With only one senior graduating, the Bobcats expect to build on the successes of 2001 and reclaim a position among the top 10 New England Teams in 2002.

In individual efforts, Julie Dutton '04 led the team in each meet of the season achieving All-State Honors and a personal best of 18:34. Kelley Puglisi '03 finished second for Bates in every meet of the 2001 season and recorded a lifetime best of 19:03 at the NCAA Regional Qualifying Meet. Beth Pagnotta '04 was consistent in third and fourth positions. At the NCAA Regional Qualifying Meet she recorded a time of 19:22 to finish 3rd for the team. Jessie Gagne-Hall '04 was a solid performer placing in the top 5 in every meet and recorded a career best of 19:16. Senior co-captain Rebecca Hakala '02 recorded a collegiate best of 20:00 and moved into the top seven for the first time of her career. Only running 3-4 days each week and doing a lot of cross training, Rebecca placed 6th for the team at both the NESCAC and NCAA Qualifying Meets. Lauren Shoff '04 had several top 7 finishes. She improved her personal record by 34 seconds running 19:43 during the season.

Two first years made their mark in the top seven. Katherine Creswell '05 finished 4th for the team 3 times including the NCAA Regional Qualifying Meet where she recorded a career best of 19:42. Penny Christo '05 placed in the top seven in three meets and had a season best of 19:49. Creswell '05 was the first finisher for Bates at the ECAC Championship where Bates finished 13th out of 36 teams. Resting some of the front runners it gave several Bates runners an opportunity to race in a championship meet. Senior Gwen Hiltunen completed her career and outstanding season finishing second for the team. She had a career best of 20:35 at the NESCAC Championship. First year Rachel Starr finished alongside Hiltunen in the ECAC Championship and had a collegiate best of 20:35 during the season.Other representatives for Bates at the ECAC Meet included Erica Nason '05, Meghan Johnston '04, Katie Lantz '04 and Carrie Garber '05.

In addition to those mentioned above, Leigh Johnson '04 and Katherine Long '02 (season best of 21:22) also received varsity letters this season. Other members who participated this season included Emily Barko'04, Caitlin Homberger '04, Elizabeth Jackson '04, Kerry McLaughlin '05, Jessica Otis '05, Holly Page '05, and Shaena Tucker '05.