Sept. 1, 2004

PHILADELPHIA - It's time again for women's cross country coach, Kevin Quinn, to begin thinking about another exciting season of running. It was hard to say goodbye to seniors Amy Manwaring and Karen Weber whose talent and experience helped lead SJU to a 5th place finish at the 2003 A-10 Championships and a 14th place finish at the NCAA Regional Meet. This year's squad, however, returns a strong lineup of runners, along with a number of top positions needing to be filled, that should make this an exciting season of opportunity and discovery.

Top returnee, senior cross country captain Colleen Flanigan, is poised to take over the role as team leader. Flanagan had an impressive junior year, receiving All-Conference honors after delivering a 10th place finish at the Atlantic 10 Cross Country Championship. She also finished third in the 3000m at the indoor Atlantic 10 Championships. Flanigan is back from a summer of high mileage and intense training looking to improve upon last year's performances and crack the top ten at the A-10 Championships.

Top junior returnee, Ann Regan is back after missing all of last year due to injury. Regan finished 9th at the Atlantic 10 Championship as a freshman and receive All-Conference honors that year as well. She was also the fist SJU freshman to receive All-East recognition in the history of the program. After a year of hard work and rehab, Regan is back and in better shape than ever.

Rounding out the top three is sophomore Suzie McHenry. McHenry made the typically difficult transition to college running with ease. She had a strong outdoor season, running consist top times in the 3000m and 5000m, which Coach Quinn hopes will carry over to some solid cross country racing.

With three proven performers, Coach Kevin Quinn is counting on this year's depth of seniors, juniors and underclassmen to step up and fill in the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th positions. Returning seniors who hope to do this include school steeplechase record holder, Erin O'Donnell; standout 800 meter runners Mary Crossin and Kelly Victory; and cross country veterans Jackie Twomey, and Annie Marshall. Juniors Marcy DeLorenzo, Gen Story and Atlantic 10-indoor/outdoor 800 meter champion Thuy Nguyen have the talent and experience to step up as well. This years sophomores, Maddie Bell, Renee Spangler, Rebecca Powell, Erin Kelly, Sarah Limbach and Teresa Badalato, are also ready to show they have what it takes after a year of learning the ropes. Coach Quinn welcomes freshmen rookies Adrienne Beltz, Kate LoSecco, and Christine Egan. These newcomers will be looking to make their mark on the team, while adjusting to the rigorous training regime of Division I athletics.

Once again the Hawk women face a competitive cross country schedule with meets including the Paul Short Invitational at Lehigh University in late September, the Notre Dame Invitational in October, the Atlantic 10 Championships in Pittsburgh on October 30th, and the NCAA Regional Meet and ECAC Championships in November.

The Saint Joseph's Women's cross country team has been picked to finish 4th in the Atlantic10 preseason poll, but Coach Quinn is confident that they are capable of much better. With several top positions needing to be filled, and a depth of talent and experience, Coach Quinn has dubbed this "The Year Of Discovery."