A gun sounds and they’re off—it’s the beginning of a cross-country race. For the Rensselaer men’s and women’s teams, this season brings potential for success. Head Coach Colin Tory has high expectations for both teams.
The women’s team is coming into the season having lost only one athlete to graduation. Last year’s team finished sixth at regionals, just one place shy of earning a trip to nationals. "We have high hopes to go (to the nationals) this year," said Captain Jesslyn Kennedy.
Last year’s team also placed fourth at states, which is the highest RPI has ever placed at that level.
Pre-season conditioning over the summer has brought the women’s team into the season better prepared than last year.
The team is sticking together as a pack, with more depth than in the past. Only seven runners can compete for the team at regionals and nationals, but it’s still early to tell who will emerge as the top seven—for now it’s more like the top 14.
Kate Adams and Katie Roden are a solid top two. Captains Kennedy and Allyson Soja, along with Cara O’Toole and Rebecca Rosenberg-Beran form the pack. Sophomores Claire Lears, Leah Underwood, and Edith Werpachowska have improved significantly coming into this season. Incoming first-year runners Emily Meacham and Amy Gagne will also add depth.
On the men’s side, this season looks to be a rebuilding year, although the captains still expect the team to have a chance at regionals. The team is young this year, with only one senior and one junior and lots of freshmen. However, four of last season’s top five runners are returning.
Unlike the women’s pack, the men’s team is more spread out. "We have a collage of runners," said captain Justin Jablonowski.
This year will be more of an individual year, with captains Jablonowski and Duane Crammond along with John Bonnett and Mark Jensenius all seeking to qualify for nationals. Steve Lorenc is also returning as a member of the top five.
Several freshmen have gotten into peak shape over the summer. Joey Panarese, Adam Day, Josh Schuster, and Bob Baniak can be expected to contribute to the team’s effort.
The pre-season training concludes and the competition begins this weekend as the teams take a training trip to Lake Placid, where they will compete in the Cardinal Classic at Plattsburgh State.
This season will bring tougher competition than the previous one, as the teams will compete in the Middlebury Invitational for the first time on September 8. Middlebury’s women won the nationals last year. Perennial rivals St. Lawrence, Hamilton, and SUNY Geneseo will also be key meets. RPI has the advantage of running the regional course during the NYU Invitational September 22.
The teams have three home meets this year—September 8, October 20, and October 28. The home course is located at Saratoga Spa State Park, off Exit 13N of the Northway, near Saratoga Performing Arts Center. RPI is also hosting the UCAA Championships on September 29 at Saratoga.
