Cross Country: Belles get competitive edge from freshmen
Katie McVoy
Associate Sports Editor
A competitive edge is something every team needs, but the Saint Mary's class of 2005 is bringing more than that to the cross country team. It's bringing spirit and unity as well.
"This class has a lot of spunk," returning junior Nicole Prezioso said. "They all want to win."
Eight new freshmen and two transfer students are lining up along side the nine runners returning from last season. Returning senior Melissa Goss will be leading the pack, filling the shoes of last year's graduating class.
With the graduation of Genevieve Yavello, the Saint Mary's team lost a leader, both on and off the course. However, the incoming class is bringing with it a new feeling of team spirit. Coming from as far away as California and as close as Indiana, the team is already feeling united.
"This team has really gotten close," Prezioso said.
TThe addition of 10 runners has more than doubled the size of the team and is already pushing hard in the early stages of the season.
"The first week of practice is when the new [runners] want to prove themselves," Prezioso said. "So they're really pushing."
Sohpomore Jackie Bauters, who transferred to Saint Mary's from Miami of Ohio, is ready to start running again. Saint Mary's offered her an opportunity to run that wasn't available before.
"I really loved running on the team in high school, and I couldn't do that at Miami," she said. "I like competition, so I'm hoping to do well."
The Belles finished in seventh place in the MIAA for the second year in a row last season. Despite the low finish, Saint Mary's found success in team spirit rather than in high places.
"Coach Barstis's philosophy is we're here to go to school first and run second," Prezioso said. "The focus has never been to win as much as to have fun."
The freshmen will have two weeks to get into the college routine before they're thrown into college competition. The season opens Sept. 7 at Aquinas College. Early season meets at Aquinas and North Park will help prepare the team for the MIAA Jamboree, the first time all eight MIAA teams will face off. The Belles will later face off against all league competition in the MIAA championship.
All Sports Stories for Sunday, August 26, 2001
