Jan. 8, 2003

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Boasting the deepest and most talented squad in recent years, the women's cross country team turned heads in 2002, exceeding expectations and achieving new heights. Under the guidance of second-year head coach Trent Sanderson, the Terps developed into a top regional competitor, and took great strides in becoming a competitive force in the nation.

The season looked bright for the Terps as they began their 2002 campaign with a win at the Covered Bridge Open in Boone, N.C., on Sept. 6. The meet would prove to be the Terps' highest team finish of the season. Three runners finished in the top 10 overall, including freshmen Katie Purcell (3) and Cori Koch (6), and junior Kim Smith (8). With their one-two finish, Purcell and Koch firmly established themselves as frontrunners for the young team.

On Sept. 14, the team nearly produced a victory at the Navy Invitational, finishing a close second behind host team Navy. The Terps' second place out of 12 teams was a great improvement from their finish at the 2001 Navy Invitational, where they finished fourth out of six teams. The speedy duo of Purcell and Koch again led the team, with Purcell's time of 18:33.34 earning her second place overall and a spot in the top 10 all-time at the USNA course. Koch placed seventh overall, with junior Lorna Dorland in 12th and freshman Allison Carney in 16th. At this point in the season, the team achieved its highest regional ranking of the season-seventh out of 36 Mid-Atlantic Division I teams.

One week later, the Terps journeyed to Lehigh University to compete in the Paul Short Invitational. Keeping his sights set on the future, Sanderson chose to rest the team's top runners for this meet, leaving the Terp reserves to battle the formidable competition. The team indeed fared very well, taking 10th out of 23 teams. With a time of 22:18.94, Carney bested her personal record to pace the Terps, finishing 27th out of 241 runners. Sophomore Courtney Fiorovanti took 68th in the meet, posting her fastest 6,000 meter time of the year with a 23:13.34. Freshman Amie Shomette rounded out the top three Terps at the Paul Short Invitational.

Approaching the Oct. 5 Indiana State Invitational, the Terps were well-rested and ready to compete against several of the nation's best programs. Sanderson's strategy paid off as the team took seventh out of 20 teams, upsetting higher-ranked programs such as Navy. For the third time, the Terps were led by Purcell, who took 21st overall in the race. Koch again finished second for the team, in 40th with a 22:31.2 that marked her season-best time in the 6,000 meter. Carney finished close behind Koch in 44th.

While the team's top runners competed in Terra Haute, the Terp reserves ran in the Maryland State Championships at UMD Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, Md. There the team took third out of 12 teams, led by sophomore Bridget Baker, who took third overall. Freshman Shari Gorga also turned in an impressive finish, posting her best time of the season to earn seventh place.

Combining forces two weeks later, the Terps had visions of success for their sole home meet of the season, the Maryland Invitational. With impressive efforts all around, the team took second at the meet, edged out only by American. Purcell finished her fourth meet at the head of the Terp runners, taking fourth overall out of 89 runners. Her time of 18:23 was 20 seconds faster than the winning time at the 2001 Maryland Invitational. Koch finished 15 seconds behind her teammate, taking sixth. Three other Terps turned in top 15 finishes: Smith (8), Shomette (11) and junior Andrea Stehman (14). The familiar turf seemed to benefit these athletes, as all three turned in season-best 5,000 meter times.

On Nov. 2, it was time for the team to test its strength at the ACC Championships in Atlanta, Ga. The team was looking to improve upon its eighth place finish in 2001. The Terps accomplished this goal, climbing to seventh in the conference--their highest finish in more than 10 years. Three runners placed in the top 50 overall to lead the team. These runners were Purcell, who took 27th, Carney in 43rd and Koch in 48th. The Terps then turned their sights to the Nov. 16 NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships, where they would face several nationally recognized programs.

In 2001, the Maryland women's cross country team had no one to represent them at the regional championships. In 2002, not only did they send seven talented runners to Davis, W.V, but they also were able to turn in a solid eighth place finish in the 27-team field. Through very harsh weather, Purcell again led the charge for the Terps, taking 21st overall with a season-best time of 21:47.1 in the 6,000 meters. Her freshmen sidekicks Carney and Koch took 43rd and 48th, respectively.

The Terps concluded their 2002 campaign at the ECAC Championships in New York on Nov. 23, where they ran teams of five individuals in both the Championship and University Race. Unfortunately, the Terps encountered a mix-up that cost them what would have been a second place finish out of 18 teams in the University Race. Instead of having individual results compiled into a team score, the five runners were counted as independents, thus negating any team score. Despite the mishap, outstanding individual accomplishments marked both races. In the Championship Race, Purcell led the Terp reserves to an eighth place finish, setting a personal-best time of 18:03.5 in the 5,000 meter. This top-15 finish earned her a spot on the All-East team. Fiorovanti came in next for the Terps in that race, in 45th, with a time nearly 30 seconds faster than in 2001. In the University Race, Carney took second with a season-best 18:35.4, and Koch finished 10th.

That meet marked the finale to their season of dramatic improvements and impressive results. Enjoying so much success with such a young squad gives Sanderson hope for a run in the NCAA Championships race next season.

"An incredible season came to an end with next season looking bright," said Sanderson. "With the addition of several more talented girls, we could see a national ranking next year."