Sept. 5, 2002
Head Coach Bryan Delsite boasts a youthful and eager squad for the 2002 cross country season after losing four of his top performers from last season. Determined to rebound from last year's eighth-place Atlantic10 championship finish and reestablish Duquesne cross country as a contender for the A-10 crown, the Dukes will key on the talents of five returning letterwinners in juniors Carrie Hucko and Courtney Rex as well as sophomores Michelle Flynn, Alison Buchanan and Amy Tucker.
Hucko entered her initial season with the Dukes in style taking first for the Red & Blue and fourth overall at the Duquesne Duals in a personal-best time of 18:51 last year. She finished sixth overall at the St. Francis Invitational and was a top three finisher for the Dukes. Flynn also made an immediate impact on the program last year as a top-four placer for DU. A consistent point scorer; she posted a personal best time of 19:42 at the Duquesne Duals. Tucker, Rex and Buchanan supply experience and speed as well and are once again expected to be strong point scorers. Tucker produced her best performance at the Duquesne Invite taking 21st overall in 20:16 while Rex crossed the line 26th overall in 20:29. Buchanan's personal-best was a 20:34 mark as she placed sixth for the Dukes at the Duquesne Duals.
Expectations are high for this year's newcomers who will be looked to for immediate contributions. Leading the group will be Tara Gerlach, Brianne Scott, Elizabeth Graham, and Michelle Kvernmo. Scott was named an all-county and all-league selection in cross country and holds her high school record in the 1500 meter. Gerlach reigned as the District 10 400 meter champion as a prep and captured the 2000-01 800 meter Metro championship crown. Graham is a two-time PA state individual qualifier in cross country, helped lead her squad to the state championships and was a three-time state qualifier as a member of the 4 x 800 mete relay. Kvernmo competed in the state championships as a prep and holds her high school records in the 4 x 400 and 4 x 800 relays and the 400, 800 and 1600 meter events.
Strong and consistent performances are also expected from Rebecca Stearns, Marissa Giammaria, Elena Resovich, Chantelle Paul, Lauren Boehm and Mericka Lehman.
The Dukes begin the 2002 campaign on Sept. 7 as they host the Duquesne Duals at Schenley Park. The home course is also site of the Duquesne Invitational slated for Sept. 27. Other invitationals the Red & Blue with compete in are at Malone College and Bucknell. Oct. 19 marks the Pre-Nationals at Indiana State before the Red & Blue play host to the 2002 Atlantic 10 Championship, also at Schenley Park. The season wraps up with the Mid-East Regional Nov. 16 and the ECAC Championships Nov. 23.
