W. indoor track hopes to improve from third last year at Heps

As the first real snowfall of the year was revealed this morning, track cognoscenti across the nation knowingly nodded their heads, recognizing the seemingly innocuous precipitation for the omen it was. Parents warned their children to stay indoors, and the government issued a vaguely-worded warning to the populace.

The Princeton women's indoor track season was starting up again.

And Harvard, Yale, Penn, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Brown, (and Navy) had best beware, because this year, 2002-03, may be the year of the Tiger. Just as a fresh fall of snow wipes clean the landscape of blemishes and irregularities, each indoor season represents a blank slate, a fresh start for the Princeton program. Last year's trials and tribulations have all but faded out of memory, and the women's track team is free to concentrate on its annual goal — stomping its rivals in Heptagonals and bringing glory to the Princeton women's track tradition.

Or so the Princeton women hope.

After finishing third in last year's Heps championship, one might think a track team would rest on its laurels for a while and take a few seasons to savor the performance. But not Princeton. Like the ravenous beast that is their namesake, the Tiger women enter the upcoming season more hungry than ever for the Heps crown.

With a banner crop of talented freshmen, one might be lured into thinking that such a goal lacked ambition and that Princeton was simply talking down its potential. But after losing several of last season's brightest stars to graduation, the Tigers will be tested to the utmost to accomplish their stated mission.

The most devastating losses were to graduation. Lauren Simmons '02 garnered the team much prestige and many points as a champion 800m runner, winning almost every race she started in, including Heps. Catherine Casey '02 placed second at Heps in the 5k, and was a strong performer in that position in most meets.

"We have some really incredible freshmen, but everyone still misses them," sophomore Leslie Warren said. "Every year, though, people graduate and other people have to step up to replace them as leaders." Luckily, many of the Tigers' top athletes are returning, teeth gritted in anticipation of the challenge ahead.

The team should be especially strong in the field events. Some of last year's most productive point-scoring members were underclassmen, and all have several more seasons of Tiger track ahead of them. Sophomore Brooke Minor and junior Chelo Canino both performed well throughout much of last season in the high jump and pole vault, respectively.

The distance program also has the potential to do well in the indoor season. Coming off a fairly impressive cross country season, Princeton's runners should be rested and prepared to start anew. Junior Emily Kroshus should lead the team, and she is followed by a close group of talented juniors, including Laura Petrillo and Pilar Marin. They will look to help fill the gap left by Casey's departure.

"Basically we're coming off a really good cross season, and everyone's just been doing really well," junior Christina Roberto said.

Many of the team's relay and middle distance runners will be returning as well. Last year, both the 4x400 and the 4x800 teams placed third at Heps, and though they have lost some seniors, notably Simmons, most of the members are back. Juniors Hasina Outtz and Liz Morse and sophomores Caitlin Tormey, Randy Buzzall and Chanel Lattimer will all contribute.

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Lattimer should also be a factor in the 200m. Last year she did well for most of the season, including a third-place finish in Heps.

"Randy Buzzall's blazing speed in particular will do a lot to help the team in the mile and perhaps some of the relays," Roberto said.

And so after resting, training, and in some cases competing for the first part of the year, the Princeton track team is ready to go.

"We plan on winning the Heptagonal league this year," Warren said. "The meets last year were very, very close, and the other teams have lost people too."

The team's first meet, the New Year's Invite, is tomorrow at home.