Women’s Cross Country Primed for 2015 Season
7/28/2015 3:59:00 PM | Cross Country
A deep roster and strong schedule have the team ready for success
RALEIGH, N.C. - The NC State women's cross country team enters the 2015 season with high expectations following the success of the last year's campaign. After finishing 16th in the country and setting the record for NCAA Championship appearances, the Wolfpack returns with a deep roster and a drive to return to the top.
"We were happy to get back into the top-25 last year, but we're not satisfied with 16th," said NC State women's cross country coach Laurie Henes. "We want to get back in the top-10 and have a chance at the podium."
With the departures of Joanna Thompson and Kenyetta Iyevbele, the team will turn to its experienced core of runners to fill the void. Fifth-year seniors Olivia Enright and Alexa Harvey, along with senior Samantha George and fourth-year juniors Kaitlyn Kramer and Megan Moye will all have the opportunity to lead from the front during the 2015 season.
"Losing Joanna and Kenyetta is about performance, but they were also such good leaders. We are asking that next group of seniors to step up and fill that void. I think they are ready to do that. We have a really good group of fourth and fifth years."
George and Moye both had strong track seasons and qualified for the NCAA East Preliminary. Additionally George posted a then nation-leading time of 15:51.74 in the 5,000m.
Along with the seniors, several core members of the 2014 squad will also return. Erika Kemp, Mary Grace Doggett and Bianca Bishop all consistently scored in last year's races and will be back for the 2015 season.
Kemp is coming off an impressive track season, which included a trip to the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the 5,000m. She also won silver in the same event at the ACC Outdoor Championships. Both Doggett and Bishop redshirted the 2014-15 track season after running with the cross country team as freshmen.
Along with the strong returning core, several underclassmen could break into the lineup. Rachel Koon, Gianna Frontera, Megan Rempel and Lizzy Kroeger will enter their redshirt freshmen year with the chance to make an impact, while newcomers Ryen Frazier, Sarah Kanney and Bethany Neeley could contribute in the lineup.
Frazier joins the Pack after a decorated high-school career. The Raleigh native recently earned three national titles at the 2015 New Balance Nationals. She also took second at the 2014 cross country Footlocker Nationals. Neeley comes to State after transferring from Indiana University. She brings a high level of experience to the team, which includes competing in two Big 10 Championship meets and a trip to 2013 NCAA Championships.
"I think the top seven spread will be tight this year. It's hard to know who it will be, but we have a lot of good options. Anytime you have that happening within your training group, there is excitement in the program and the season."
With a loaded roster, the team is expecting to improve from their 2014 ACC and NCAA finishes. Throughout the season, the squad will have multiple opportunities to race with some of the best in the nation.
The Pack will begin its season at home on Sept. 18th with the adidas XC Challenge at Wake Med Park in Cary, N.C. The women took first place at last year's home meet.
On Oct. 2nd, the team will head to South Bend, Ind. for the Notre Dame Invitational. The course is fast and forces many teams to race harder. The race will also provide the freshmen the experience of competing in a big race. Last year, the Wolfpack took second in the team standings of the race.
On Oct. 16th, NC State will race at the prestigious Wisconsin adidas Invitational. 25 of the 31 women's teams that are competing made the 2014 NCAA Championships.
"Wisconsin is as close as you can get to an NCAA race without running one," said Henes. "We're trying to experience that before getting into regionals and nationals. Anytime you go to that Wisconsin meet and have so many high level athletes on the line, it is a good indicator of what you need to work on and where you need to go from there."
With a strong schedule and roster, the women's team is aiming for the podium once again.
"Our goals don't change. We want to have an opportunity to be in the hunt for an ACC title every year. We want to be at the NCAA Championships with a chance to finish in the top 10," said Henes.
"Finishing 16th and having a lot of returners helps, especially when those returners feel that the program's goals are within their reach. For the newcomers that we brought in this year, those were clearly their goals in the recruiting process. Everyone is on the same page and is willing to work together to accomplish those goals."
Players Mentioned
