Fall 2001 Outlook
The Saint Joseph's University Women's Cross
Country team swept through the Atlantic 10
Conference in 2000 claiming the program's second
conference championship, as well as performer of
the year honors.
Gone from that squad are NCAA qualifier and
two-time A-10 Performer of the Year Christine Kane
and all-conference runner Gabby Quezada, but the
cupboards are far from bare for A-10 Coach of the
Year Kevin Quinn. This year a pack of younger, yet
experienced Hawks have their sights set on
retaining the conference crown.
Setting the pace for SJU will be senior captain
Denise Fergus. An all-District selection in cross
country as a sophomore in 1999, Fergus finished
17th at the A-10 Championship that year and
improved to an 11th place finish overall in 2000.
Possessing both the physical ability and the
leadership qualities necessary to lead the pack,
Fergus should be in contention for A-10
All-Conference accolades. Supporting Fergus are
senior Katie Limbach and juniors Sarah Conway
and Megan Wynne. Running primarily the 800 m, Limbach turned in a strong
season on the track in 2001 and appears poised to step up and make key
contributions this season. Conway emerged as a key contributor for SJU as a
sophomore, consistently running fourth for the Hawks throughout the 2000
season. She placed 19th overall at the A-10 Championship to help the Hawks
to the title. A middle distance threat on the track, she had a breakthrough
season indoors and should take a big step forward this year in cross country.
Wynne, meanwhile leads by example and sets the tone for the team's
younger runners with her tireless work ethic.
Critical to the Hawks success this year will be a talented collection of
sophomores that includes Sarah Bright, Emily Choromanski, Amy
Manwaring, and Karen Weber. That group made great strides as freshmen
last season and should be capable of taking on added responsibility as in
their second season of competition. Manwaring (15th), Weber (22nd) and
Choromanski (26th) each provided the Hawks with key contributions en route
to capturing the A-10 title.
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