BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Moravian College women's cross country team is one of the most storied programs in school history thanks to a dominant run at the turn of the century.
Third-year Head Coach Jesse Baumann expects nothing less than to add to that tradition when the gun sounds to begin the 2013 season.
"They see how important the history of this program is," Baumann said. "They know they're running as individuals, but as a team you're only as strong as your fifth runner or how far up the second runner finishes. There's a responsibility to carry on the strong tradition here."
Baumann has lofty expectations for his runners this season, as do his peers. The Greyhounds were picked to win the Landmark Conference championship in the preseason coaches' poll. The headman did not stop at declaring their goal of winning the conference title for the second time in three years. He has the team striving to finish top 10 in the region this year.
Helping Moravian down that path is a strong and speedy core of returning letter-winners. Juniors Claire Del Casale, Jessie Goldberg and Emily Lambright are all coming off fantastic spring track seasons and remained in top shape during the summer offseason.
At a one-mile time trial early this week, Baumann saw their hard work pay off. Del Casale and Lambright shaved 25 seconds off their mile marks from one year ago, and Goldberg cut 11 seconds from her time.
"We're in a much better position than we were a year ago," said Baumann, who is only allowed to suggest optional offseason workouts for his student-athletes. "It's all on them. As coaches, we're at their mercy and what they decide to do over the summer. They're putting in more miles than they ever have before. They definitely did their homework."
Del Casale, a Landmark All-Conference Second Team selection in 2012, set her best time in the 6K with a 24:43.20 at the conference championships. Lambright's best mark of 24:50 was set at the Princeton Invitational. Goldberg also accepted All-Conference Second Team honors and boasted a best time of 25:07 at Princeton.
Juniors Devon Bedell and Alyssa Tallon also return from solid spring track seasons with Moravian.
Baumann says his team's strength lies in its unpredictability and depth.
"On any given date, any one of them can crack the top five at a meet," he said.
The Greyhounds get their first chance to prove their coach right when the season opens at the Lehigh University Invitational on Saturday, August 31 at 10:30 a.m.
