NEWS
Women’s Cross Country to Open 2024 Campaign at Elon’s “Friday Night Lights”
First year cross country runner Abby Smith won’t be running for cakes this weekend.
Under the leadership of Jen Straub, the department’s longest-tenured coach, Davidson will open its women’s cross country season tomorrow evening at Elon’s “Friday Night Lights”.
“It will be a fun race under the lights,” commented Coach Straub. “It will give us an opportunity to assess our fitness as we move forward with the goal of being at our best in November.”
The 2024 edition of the Wildcats will feature a solid blend of both experience and youth.
Coming off a fourth-place showing in the 5K at the Outdoor Track & Field Championships, Davidson welcomes back senior Anne Berquist.
As a junior on the trails, Berquist competed in all six events, while setting a new personal record four times, highlighted by a sixth-place showing at the ECU Invite 6K. In addition, she was named the Conference’s A-10 Runner of the Week after leading the ‘Cats at the Royals Challenge last October.
Junior Molly Sullivan is also back for the Wildcats after putting together a strong season on the track. Along with placing fifth in the A-10’s steeple chase, the native of North Kingstown, R.I., turned in a career-best time at last year’s conference cross country championships.
Despite its youth, Davidson will have a deep and talented group of underclassmen, which include the likes of Abby Nasse, Mary Shoop, Abby Smith, Clara Schard and Caroline Timmons.
Davidson’s schedule will include five regular season meets capped by the Atlantic 10 Championships (Nov. 2) and NCAA Regional (Nov. 15).
“We are eager and excited to continue to improve our standings at the A-10 Cross Country Championship and to finish strong at the NCAA East Regional meet,” Straub said.