Women's Cross Country | 9/2/2015 3:54:00 PM

ROCHESTER, NY - Despite enjoying a 2014 season that was the most decorated in program history, the  RIT women's cross country team has redemption on its mind in 2015. The Tigers enter the 2015 season with high expectations after last season's breakout performance and have the talent to make a strong run towards the NCAA Championships. Nine of RIT's top-11 runners return, along with a strong freshman class. RIT will begin the season ranked fourth in the Atlantic Region and 19th nationally, its highest national ranking in program history.

Highlights and accolades were numerous in 2014, as RIT recorded its first ever  United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) national ranking, ascending to as high as 20th in the national poll.  In addition, RIT recorded its 12th straight USTFCCA team academic award and had three USTFCCCA Academic All-Americans.

Despite a runner-up finish in the 2014 Liberty League Championship, five other top-three team finishes, 10 weeks in the national poll, and wins over six nationally ranked teams in the regular season, including four that made the championship field, RIT was not selected to receive an at-large berth to the 2014 NCAA Championships.

"Do we feel that it was an injustice, yes, but we feel a lot more strongly that we should have controlled our own destiny." said RIT head coach Dave Stevens. "It hurt not making the championship field for the first time in program history, but I am thankful for it in hindsight. It definitely fueled our summer training and the women are more poised than ever to prove that the committee made a mistake and to leave their imprint on RIT's record books."

Despite the loss of 2015 graduates Kaylin Beiter (Lima, NY/Honeoye Falls-Lima) and Amanda White (Watertown, NY/Watertown), RIT returns a host of top runners and a full complement of talented freshman.

Junior Emma Jones (Rochester, NY/Rush-Henrietta), a 2014 individual NCAA participant and 6,000-meter school record holder will look to lead the way for the Tigers in 2015. Jones will be pushed however by a very hungry and extremely talented senior class. Captain and 3,000-meter indoor school record holder Becky Greiner (Rochester, NY/Rush-Henrietta), outdoor 5,000 and 10,000-meter school record holder Stephanie Milici (Rochester, NY/Greece Odyssey), indoor one mile school record holder Alicia Sutphin (Apalachin, NY/Vestal), and 2014 ECAC indoor 1,000 meter champion Kristine Reed (Walton, NY/Walton) will join Jones in creating one of the most experienced and accomplished top five groups in the entire region.

Despite having so much talent up front, the Tigers will be extremely deep this season. Seniors Amy Becker (Colonie, NY/Colonie) and Megan Karpie (Grand Island, NY/Grand Island), junior Alex Shipman (Livonia, NY/Livonia) and sophomores Martine Bosch (Endwell, NY/Maine-Endwell), Faith Gruver (Rochester, NY/Greece Athena), Keira Higgins (Schenevus, NY/Milford), and Jeriann Beiter (Lima, NY/Honeoye Falls-Lima) will be jostling for spots in the top seven of the lineup.

The roster will be further bolstered by one of the most talented freshman classes in program history.

"This group of freshman reminds me a lot of our current senior class," said Stevens. "They are extremely talented and committed to running and achieving our program's goals."

Hannah Weppner (East Aurora, NY/East Aurora), Alexis Scott (Burnt Hills, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake), Julia Provenzano (Milford, CT/Trumbull), and Becca Schwan (LeRoy, NY/LeRoy) will be expected to lead the Class of 2019. Weppner and Schwan both were accomplished 1,500 meter runners at the high school level, having both run sub 5:00, while Scott (18:37) and Provenzano (15:37) both have excellent personal bests in the 5,000- and 4,000-meters, respectively. 

As always, the Tigers enjoy a demanding schedule which sets them up for the Liberty League Championship at St. Lawrence on Oct. 31 and the NCAA Atlantic Region Championship at Letchworth State Park on Nov. 14. RIT opens its season with back-to-back meets at Genesee Valley Park hosted by the University of Rochester, before heading to Letchworth for the NCAA Pre-Regional meet on Oct. 3. RIT will then head to either Oberlin College for the Inter-Regional Rumble, or Wisconsin-Oshkosh for the NCAA Pre-National meet on Oct. 17.
 
"The ultimate goal isn't on paper", said Stevens. "The ultimate goal is to give RIT and our alumni something it has never had, a nationally qualifying team in women's cross country. These women want to make RIT proud and leave a legacy for women at RIT."