BLOOMSBURG—Most college-level coaches would be upset if they found themselves without any returning seniors entering the season. For Bloomsburg University women’s cross country Head Coach Bernie Empie, he does not let the idea bother him.
“Every year is a different year,” Empie affirmed. “While we graduated two of last year’s top runners, this year’s team is much deeper than the 2009 squad.”
In 2009, the Maroon and Gold placed 17th at the NCAA national meet, paced by then-seniors Angela Borealo and Andrea Kellock, who both finished in the top 50 runners. In the wake of that performance, the Huskies have been selected as the sixth-best team in the league in the 2010 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) preseason coaches’ poll.
Shippensburg topped the preseason poll for the second straight year, collecting all 16 first-place votes. Slippery Rock, Kutztown, Lock Haven and Millersville rounded out the top five.
In the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) rankings, Bloomsburg was tabbed as the No. 4 team in the Atlantic region, following Shippensburg, Kutztown and Slippery Rock.
Leading the way for the Huskies will likely be last season’s No. 3 runner, Kaitlyn Meck. The junior took 21st at last year’s regional meet and broke into the top 100 at the national championship.
Sophomore Katie Filemyr, who took seventh place in the 3000m Steeplechase at the 2010 PSAC outdoor meet, had an outstanding spring and is expected to challenge Meck for the top spot.
Sophomore Victoria Davis, along with juniors Kaitlyn McShay and Samantha Matthews could easily secure spots among the Bloomsburg scorers. Sophomores Kelsey Harm and Lauren Bond, who returns from injury, will also be among the top Huskies.
Freshmen Martina Drew and Shelby Pealer are expected to make an instant contribution to the team, and could easily slide into leading roles. Classmate Courtney Werner, who is also a member of the BU lacrosse team, could also be an impact runner on what is a solid incoming class for the squad.
A key factor to preparing for this season is the late date of the NCAA championship meet, which has been pushed to December 4, to accommodate the NCAA Division II Fall Championship Festival at which six sport championships will be held in Louisville, Kent.
“The date changes how we approach the season and how quickly we get into high-intensity training,” explains Empie. “You need to match your team’s peak performance with the championship season. I’m confident we’ll be ready for November.”
Bloomsburg opens its 2010 campaign with the Bucknell Open on September 4. The team will host its only home competition—The Husky Invitational—on October 9.
PSAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll (first-place votes)
1. Shippensburg (16)
2. Slippery Rock
3. Kutztown
4. Lock Haven
5. Millersville
6. Bloomsburg
7. Edinboro
8. Mansfield
T9. Clarion
T9 . IUP
11. California
12. East Stroudsburg
13. West Chester
14. Mercyhurst
15. Gannon
16. Cheyney
Atlantic Region Rankings
1. Shippensburg
2. Kutztown
3. Slippery Rock
4. Bloomsburg (Pa.)
5. Edinboro
6. Millersville
7. Lock Haven
8. Mansfield
9. Indiana (Pa.)
10. East Stroudsburg