2003 preview

September 3, 2003

NORTON, MA- The Wheaton College men's and women's cross country teams now understand the expectations of the program and the system that head coach Paul Carr has instilled over the last four years. Buying into the philosophy of the program is critical for Carr, as he believes his Lyons are on the verge of moving to the upper echelon of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC).

"I believe our athletes have had positive experiences with our program," said Carr. "Our veteran athletes are taking the newcomers under their wings and expediting the learning curve." Carr also welcomes the arrival of assistant coach Julie Collins, who is very familiar with the Wheaton surroundings. A former runner for Providence College, Collins was at the helm of the Wheaton cross country programs during the 1994 and 1995 seasons.

With the men improving to fourth place at the conference meet coupled with a sixth place finish for the injury-ravaged women in 2002, which incidentally followed two straight seasons as the conference runner-up, Carr and Collins are encouraged by what they've seen thus far. "Our summer training regimen went well," added Carr. "Their bodies are stronger by the higher demands we've placed on them. From now until mid-October, we are going to increase the intensity and cut back on the mileage. I'm a strong believer that you race how you practice."

The men welcome back a veteran-laden group with heavy experience on the junior and senior side, while the women are a year older with three solid classes. With team goals of winning the conference and competing at the regional and national meets, the men will turn to senior tri-captain Terry Panetta (Hicksville, NY/St. Anthony's), senior Brian Donoghue (Holyoke, MA/Holyoke Catholic) and junior Stan Pyle (S. Portland, ME/S. Portland).

Panetta just missed earning NEWMAC All-Conference honors as a junior, while Donoghue will be relied on heavily to join Wheaton's elite runners. Pyle, who became the second Wheaton cross country runner ever to qualify for the national meet, returns to the program following last year's leave of absence. As a sophomore, Pyle finished second in the conference championship, 11th in the region and 57th in the country.

Other top runners to watch include senior tri-captain Peter Cahalane (N. Andover, MA/St. John's Prep), senior Brannin Buehner (Lubec, ME/Lubec), junior tri-captain Joe Chadwick (Shelburne Falls, MA/Mohawk Trail Regional), junior Patrick Freytag (Pittsford, NY/McQuaid Jesuit) and sophomore Eric Richardson (E. Walpole, MA/Bishop Feehan).

The harrier men also welcome sophomore newcomer Ben Haber (Lincoln, MA/Lincoln-Sudbury) and freshmen Ben Brokaw (Arlington, VA/Edmund Burke) and Matt Pierce (Lincoln, MA/Lincoln-Sudbury).

Juniors Lindsey Degon (Palmer, MA/Palmer) and Lindsay Whalen (Dedham, MA/Dedham) and sophomores Christina Langevin (Wilbraham, MA/Minnechaug Regional) and Kendra Leith (Holden, MA/Wachusett Regional) figure to be among the top runners on the women's squad. All four posted top placements at the NEWMAC championship meet in addition to leading the way at the regional competition. Also in the mix are junior co-captain's Erin O'Brien (North Easton, MA/Oliver Ames) and Emily Doenges (Milford, CT/St. Joseph). O'Brien earned NEWMAC All-Conference laurels with a sixth place finish last season.

In search of a seventh runner, Wheaton may not have to look any further than the recent addition of senior Kim Spence (Barrington, NH/Dover). An All-America middle distance runner with the eight-time national champion women's track and field program, Spence will be counted on heavily this fall. Also returning is sophomore Stacy Bolcome (Gloucester, MA/Gloucester), who is currently hampered with an injury.

Newcomers who will add depth to the program include sophomore Katherine Rozakis (Somerville, MA/Somerville) and first-year athletes Jonatta Moore (Staten Island, NY/Curtis) and Jennifer Ziello (Litchfield, CT/Litchfield).

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