2008 Woodie Awards
Runners tough it out during rebuilding year
Team members achieving personal goals in absence of program-wide SLIAC success
By: Nikole Brown
Issue date: 10/25/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
Webster University's women's cross country team has had a rocky season, placing near the bottom in all meets so far, and although participation is down, Coach Dusty Lopez is confident that the team is and will continue making improvements.
Lopez said although he is not satisfied with the losses, he is happy with team times at most of the races, considering the team is rebuilding its program.
"(The) goal is to compete well against conference opponents, and I feel like they have done that," Lopez said.
Lopez said injuries early in the season caused the loss of numbers. He said all of the girls on the team at one point have attained injuries in different degrees of severity, but that it is fairly common in long-distance running. Lopez said the injuries would not affect how he conducted the required team training, but he would start training during the summer so the girls' bodies are better prepared.
Candace Barry, cross country runner and sophomore biology major, said although she has not had any injuries this season, she has found them to be common for runners.
"He's just pushing us to do better," Berry said. "I think we've improved a lot from last year."
Lopez said the injuries have been a setback, but he has seen many improvements in the team.
"At the beginning of the season, all of them filled out a goal sheet," Lopez said. "Every one who stayed healthy met time goals they've set."
He said the core runners on the team will hopefully return next year and an awareness of the team on campus will attract freshman and anyone else who's interested.
The cross country team will compete on Oct. 27 in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship in Hillsboro, Ill. If the team places well, it will be invited to the NCAA regional meet in December. Lopez said he would take his three best runners, Brooke Benson, Barry and Crysti Walters. Barry is ranked No. 1 on the team.
Lopez said he is still trying to recruit for not only track and field but also cross country. He said he has found a couple of promising athletes, but has had no commitments yet.
"It's sort of a letter writing campaign to coaches and athletes," said Lopez.
He said although WU does not offer scholarships to its athletes, he said the big obstacle is personalizing the school for the student.
"If they're a pretty decent student, they'll get an academic scholarship," Lopez said.
Meghan Garza, a former high school runner and junior biology major, said she knows how hard it is to train for meets and the effect it has on the body can be grueling.
"For anyone who continues to run, you have to really love it," Garza said. "It can be frustrating thinking about times and meets. I figure the team will have real struggle against established teams."
Former Coach Chris Bunch stepped down as cross country coach to focus on coaching the basketball team. Lopez took over the position in 2007 and also coaches track and field, a new addition to the athletic department.
Lopez said although he is not satisfied with the losses, he is happy with team times at most of the races, considering the team is rebuilding its program.
"(The) goal is to compete well against conference opponents, and I feel like they have done that," Lopez said.
Lopez said injuries early in the season caused the loss of numbers. He said all of the girls on the team at one point have attained injuries in different degrees of severity, but that it is fairly common in long-distance running. Lopez said the injuries would not affect how he conducted the required team training, but he would start training during the summer so the girls' bodies are better prepared.
Candace Barry, cross country runner and sophomore biology major, said although she has not had any injuries this season, she has found them to be common for runners.
"He's just pushing us to do better," Berry said. "I think we've improved a lot from last year."
Lopez said the injuries have been a setback, but he has seen many improvements in the team.
"At the beginning of the season, all of them filled out a goal sheet," Lopez said. "Every one who stayed healthy met time goals they've set."
He said the core runners on the team will hopefully return next year and an awareness of the team on campus will attract freshman and anyone else who's interested.
The cross country team will compete on Oct. 27 in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship in Hillsboro, Ill. If the team places well, it will be invited to the NCAA regional meet in December. Lopez said he would take his three best runners, Brooke Benson, Barry and Crysti Walters. Barry is ranked No. 1 on the team.
Lopez said he is still trying to recruit for not only track and field but also cross country. He said he has found a couple of promising athletes, but has had no commitments yet.
"It's sort of a letter writing campaign to coaches and athletes," said Lopez.
He said although WU does not offer scholarships to its athletes, he said the big obstacle is personalizing the school for the student.
"If they're a pretty decent student, they'll get an academic scholarship," Lopez said.
Meghan Garza, a former high school runner and junior biology major, said she knows how hard it is to train for meets and the effect it has on the body can be grueling.
"For anyone who continues to run, you have to really love it," Garza said. "It can be frustrating thinking about times and meets. I figure the team will have real struggle against established teams."
Former Coach Chris Bunch stepped down as cross country coach to focus on coaching the basketball team. Lopez took over the position in 2007 and also coaches track and field, a new addition to the athletic department.
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