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2014 Women's Season Outlook: More Experience Should Lead to Improvement On the Trails

Emily Reid
Emily Reid possesses the potential to be a top runner within the North Coast Athletic Conference as a sophomore.

After a bit of a rebuilding season, when two of its top-three runners were first-years, The College of Wooster women's cross country team expects their development plus that of several others will push the Fighting Scots back up the North Coast Athletic Conference standings.

Emily Reid and Kayla Zboran are back after their solid debut season, along with senior Lauren Buyan. Together, they formed a solid trio, with all three finishing among the top-30 at the NCAC Championships, paced by Zboran's 22nd- (24:37.6) – one spot shy of all-conference laurels – and Reid's 29th-place. At the NCAA Div. III Great Lakes Regional Championships, it was Zboran and Buyan, who picked up an academic all-district selection, both among the top-100.

"I think our top-three is excellent," commented Wooster head coach Dennis Rice. "Team-wise our ultimate goal is to move the top-three women into the top-10 in the conference, and close the gap of our Nos. 4-7 runners to the top-three. Then, we have outstanding team possibilities at the conference and regional level."

Rice is also excited to welcome back senior Erin Andrews-Sharer, who missed last fall to study abroad. As a sophomore, she was usually the Scots' third- or fourth-fastest finisher, including a near top-100 effort within the Great Lakes (104th).

Another member of the senior class who will be looked to for team scoring is Rachelle Herrin, while junior Sarah Bradley aims to build off the NCAA regional championship experience she gained. The other returning letterwinner is sophomore Katherine Wittig, who has the ability to be a consistent point producer.

Adding to the competition within the team is a "nice group of first-years, a couple of whom could help out right away," according to Rice.

If the development goes as planned and everybody stays healthy, Wooster should be able to move into the top-five of the conference following last season's uncharacteristic seventh-place mark.