The Gustavus women’s cross country team will open its 2008 season on Saturday, Sept. 13 at the Les Duke Invitational hosted by Grinnell College. The Gusties return five of the team’s top eight runners from a squad that finished sixth at the MIAC Championships last year. Coach Friedrich has been pleased with the team’s training since reporting to campus in mid-August and is excited to get the racing season underway.
Friedrich will look to veterans Megan Lundgren (So., Mankato, Minn.), who finished 21st at the MIAC Championships, Kate Reins (So., Osseo, Minn.) who finished 43rd, Kelly Chaudoin (Sr., Ely, Minn.) who placed 59th, Brooke Beskau (So., Hastings, Minn.) who finished 67th, and Kathy Westergren (So., Duluth, Minn.) who finished 81st to lead the squad, however the team has good depth and their will be strong competition for the top seven spots each week.
Other upperclass runners who will be competing on Saturday include seniors Alison Bohn, Sarah Cowles, Jill Fagerstrom, Kayla Ricksham, and Catherine Wiechmann, juniors Erin Eppler, Vanessa Jones, and Nicole Soiseth and sophomores Cassandra Brady, Sarah Hofflander, Morgan Nelson, Karyn Peterson, Loren Secor, Hannah Wangberg, and Kathy Westergren.
Six first year runners will be competing in their first collegiate race including Ann Bergstrand, Danielle Burgmeier, Andrea Eglinton, Lauren Nelson, Kim Rostvold, and Emma Wilson.
The race will take place at Oakland Acres Country Club and it will be a good opportunity for the team to experience the course where the NCAA Central Regional Meet will be held later in the season (Nov. 15).