Head Coach:

Mick Byrne (7th Year)

 

Last Year:

7th Big 10

5th Great Lakes 

21st NCAA 

 

Probable Top Five:

JR Emma-Lisa Murphy (9:24 3k; 16:27 5k; 34:00 10k; 35th NCAA XC '13)

SO Sarah Disanza (4:20 1500m; 16:24 5k; 104th NCAA XC '13)

JR Molly Hanson (4:15 1500m; 144th NCAA XC '13)

SR Gabi Anzalone (9:26 3k; 16:31 5k; 34:26 10k; 86th NCAA XC '12)

SO Colette Richter (16:47 5k)

 

Impact Freshman/Recruits:

Rachel Fledderman - Sandia Prep, NM (5:14 1600m; 11:17 3200m; NM XC Champ '13)

Lianna Mack - Sauk Prairie, WI (5:06 1600m; 11:04 3200m)

Megan O'Neill - Remus Chippewa Hills, MI (4:52 1600m; 10:55 3200m)

 

Analysis:
Director of Track and Field and Head Cross Country Coach, Mick Byrne, spirited successful William and Mary women’s coach, Jill Miller, away in July to work with his increasingly successful women’s cross team.

Back in the 80’s and 90’s, legendary coach Peter Tegen had the Lady Badgers at the top of the heap on a regular basis. Having fallen into disrepair following Tegen’s departure, Irishmen Byrne wanted his women’s team to be as good as his men’s team.

But Miller has a couple of nice talents to work with, starting with junior Emma-Lisa Murphy. She was 35th last year at Nationals, and ran 34:00 on the track for 10k in the spring. She is strong, and the 6k distance is maybe even a little short for her. Not so for her likely number two, fellow junior Molly Hanson, whose 4:15 stamps her as a 1500 meter runner to be reckoned with. She also managed a 144th place finish last year, and she will be better this time around.

Sophomore Sarah Disanza had a very good freshman year, clocking 4:20 for 1500m on the track and grabbing 104th at nationals on a wet, soggy course that was not very friendly to 1500 meter types. Coming back from her 86th place at the 2012 championships is Gabi Anzalone, who clocked a 34:26 10k and 16:31 5k on the track. If she is their number four, that is solid mid pack talent for Miller.

 

Throw in sophomore Collette Richter, who ran a respectable 16:47 for 5k as a freshman, and your top five has potential to do some damage in Indiana. And for backup, in case something goes wrong, there are three freshman. Rachel Fledderman, all the way from Sandia High School in New Mexico, was the New Mexico state cross country champion. Lianna Mack, a local girl who has run 11:07 for 3200 meters, and Michigander Megan O’Neill, who has run 4:52 and 10:55 for 1600 and 3200, respectively, will add some depth to this program.

They were 21st last year in the NCAA and we are picking them number 16 this year. Coach Byrne looks to be moving in on his dream.

The men and women teams are both eyeing the podium in future years. It will take a little longer for the women, but they are getting there. Hang on Mick.

#16 New Mexico Men
#17 William and Mary Women