LU cross-country ladies instil optimism

The Laurentian Voyageurs women's cross-country team are looking to carry the momentum right through until the end of their season this fall.

After enjoying a great start to their racing in 2013, the local crew fell victim to some health issues, leaving them wanting more from both the OUA (Ontario University Athletics) and CIS (Canadian Interuniversity Sport) championships last fall.

That said, the group showed some nice improvement from the prior year, moving to seventh (from 10th) in the province, and finishing 13th in the country, a placement that could have been as high as 11th, if not for a couple of race day mishaps.

"The talent was certainly an upgrade from the year before, in terms of new people, but also in terms of the development of the girls who have been with us for three or four years," noted head coach Dick Moss.

"And that development continues into this year."

While the loss to graduation of both Alyssa Bedard and Adrienne Wilson will be felt, the Voyageurs boast a returning cast that is capable of even better results in 2014.

The top-end talent, led by the likes of Sudburians Emily Marcolini and Katie Wismer, as well as veterans Michelle Kennedy, Samantha Edwards, Marissa Lobert and Lyndsay Greasley will provide for a solid challenge against the mid-pack OUA teams this year.

Throw in some very promising signs from rookie Maddy Bak as well as Guelph transfer student Emilie Driedger (completing her Masters at L.U.), and one can see why Moss is even more optimistic than his usual upbeat self entering this season.

"We've got a little window of opportunity right now in which to really recruit like crazy, because we had OFSAA (cross-country championships) here in 2013," he said.

Despite less-than-ideal race-day conditions, the fact that hundreds of runners from across the province were already in Sudbury allowed for several campus visits, with Moss and his team targeting the hotbed of cross-country talent from southern Ontario.

In that sense, Moss is confident the annual goal that he has traditionally set for his team, cracking the OUA top-six and qualifying for nationals, is certainly within reach in 2014.

"We don't have a lot of depth, and seemingly never do," acknowledged the man who has guided the program for the past 15 years or so.

"We have a fine margin for error to keep everybody healthy and running their best at the right times, but I think we do have that capability," he added.

Recording their best average top-five times since 2003 and best top-seven ever in the Ramsey Tour in early September provided the kick-start to the fall that Moss was looking for.

The focus, now, is carrying those results right through to the final finish line at CIS championships in Newfoundland.