SR Sarah Collins (15:31 5K; 33:36 10K; 39th NCAA XC ’13; 10th NCAA XC ’12)

JR Catarina Rocha (4:49 Mile; 16:25 5K; 33rd NCAA XC ’14)

SR Lauren Mullins (16:16 5K; 34:00 10K; 67th NCAA XC ’14)

SO Katie Lembo (9:30 3K; 16:19 5K; 70th NCAA XC ’14)

SO Brianna Ilarda (10:32 3K Steeple; 16:33 5K; 153rd NCAA XC ’14)

The Friars return everyone from last year’s team that placed 13th in Terre Haute, but this year will feature the return of 2x Cross Country All-American Sarah Collins. Collins, who redshirted the entire 2014-15 season, placed 10th in 2012 on the fast Louisville course in addition to a 39th place finish in 2013 when Providence took home the team title. Her presence in the front pack will be a huge asset to the Friars’ success this season.

But the greatest asset to this team will be their incredible depth. Behind Collins, junior Catarina Rocha and senior Lauren Mullins can have a strong shot at locking down All-America honors in Louisville this fall. The flat, fast course will play into the hand of these ladies just as it did back in 2012 when the Friars’ were runner-up at NCAA’s. Sophomores Katie Lembo and Brianna Ilarda will have the responsibility of sticking up with their teammates. A bad day for the front runners may only cost a team 10 points or so, when a bad day for a 4-5 runner can cost anywhere from 50-100 points. If Lembo and Ilarda can remain a consistent force throughout the season culminating at the big dance in Louisville, the pressure will be on the upperclassman up front who have more national experience than the youngsters. They don’t need to be heroes at NCAA’s, but if the three ladies up front can secure top 40 finishes and the Lembo/Ilarda duo can better their 2014 performance by 20-30 spots, they can easily surpass their pre-season expectations.