Central Michigan University Athletics
Women's Cross Country 1999 Outlook
2/11/2000 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
July 30, 1999
MOUNT PLEASANT -
The fortunes of the Central Michigan University women's cross country team may rest with the performance of its fifth runner.
While the Chippewas' top four runners are set, head coach Kathleen Raske Sparrey is looking for a fifth runner to round out the lineup.
"We need someone to step into the fifth position," Raske Sparrey said. "We have a competitive top four and if a fifth steps forward we'll be strong this upcoming season."
Battling for that fifth spot are Patty Langworthy (Holland/So.), Amber Crenshaw (Coldwater/Sr.) and Jennifer Spiller (Yale/So.) and they will be pushed by newcomers Sarah Peterson (St. Louis), Kristi Klein (Defiance, Ohio) and Cami Moll (Zeeland).
Langworthy saw action in all eight of the Chippewas' meets with a season-best time 19:08 at the district championships. Crenshaw's best performance of the year was a 19:34 at the Central Collegiate championships while Spiller competed in three meets with her best time coming at the Mid-American Conference championships (19:49).
The Chippewas' top runner from 1998 returns to lead the team into 1999. Sophomore Brook Creed (Walkerville) led Central in every race as a freshman and finished 19th at the Mid-American Conference championships. She turned in her top time of the year at the MAC finals with an 18:30. Creed's other season highlights included a second-place finish at the Jeff Drenth Memorial (19:12) and a 15th-place finish at the Central Collegiate Championships (18:33).
"Brook made a huge impact as a freshman," Raske Sparrey said. "If she comes back in great shape she should continue to be strong."
The top group is rounded out by Andrea Pullen (Grandville/Sr.), Laura Harger (Dimondale/Sr.) and Stefanie Burklow (Clarkston/Jr.).
Pullen returns for her senior year with three years of experience behind her.She posted her top time of the season at the MAC championships with an 18:44. Pullen finished fourth at the Jeff Drenth Memorial (19:21) and was 29th at the MAC meet (18:44).
"Andrea is a consistent, solid runner," Raske Sparrey said. "She is a true team leader."
Harger was Central's third-leading runner in 1998. She had her best outing of the season at the Central Collegiate Championships with a time of 18:51.
"Laura has made tremendous improvements this past year," Raske Sparrey said. "If she comes in fit she should do extremely well."
Burklow is set for her first season after sitting out last year with an injury. Burklow, a transfer from the University of North Carolina Charlotte, is coming off a strong track season. She posted a personal bests in the 5,00m at Purdue (17:52.60) and in the 10,000m at the Drake Relays (36:42.25).
"We are excited to have a healthy Stefanie Burklow in the lineup," Raske Sparrey said. "She will make an immediate impact."
A talented group of athletes are ready to make an impact.
Tami Lauritzen (Wyoming/Jr.) and Traci Owczarek (Troy/Jr.) competed in every meet in 1998 for the Chippewas.
Lauritzen turned in a top time of 19:28 at the Central Collegiates and Owczarek a 19:30 at the Central Collegiates.
Natalie Artiss (Dearborn/So.), Stacie Selich (Midland/Fr.) and Molly Galsterer (Caro/Fr.) all are looking to break into the lineup.
Central is looking to improve upon last year's ninth-place finish at the MAC championships. Raske Sparrey is counting heavily on leadership of seniors Crenshaw, Harger and Pullen to lead the young squad.
Season highlights include the Jeff Drenth Memorial on Sept. 25, the Pre-NCAA Invitational on Oct. 16 and the MAC championships on Oct 30.
