Georgia Tech’s women’s cross country team enters the 1999 season with an experienced returning cast and a promising freshman class, which brings great expectations for an exciting and successful fall campaign.
Providing solid leadership for the squad is senior team captain Becky Megesi (Jonesboro, Ga.), who returns after an overall exceptional junior year.
“Becky had a tremendous year last year, after qualifying for the NCAA Cross Country Championships in the fall and earning all-America honors in outdoor track,” said head coach Alan Drosky. “Becky returns with even bigger goals to accomplish this year. She leads by example as well as by spirit and provides us with a great front-runner. She is a tenacious competitor with a lot of weapons in her arsenal.”
Last year’s number three runner, senior Tina Frey (Peachtree City, Ga.) enters her final cross country season on the Flats looking to regain the form of her sophomore year.
“Tina had a great sophomore year but struggled a bit last fall,” said Drosky. “She redshirted 1999 track season, so she will need a few races this fall to get into a racing groove. She is a very strong and tough individual and I believe that as the season progresses, we will see her make a bigger and bigger impact”, said Drosky.
The Jackets will look to the group of Sara Pardue (Aurora, Co.), Rachael Caruso (Duluth, Ga.) and Amy Edwards (Marietta, Ga.) to step up and provide the team with a solid lineup of scorers.
“This is a very capable group,” said Drosky. “All three of these young women made great strides last track season and we look for that to carry over to the cross country season. Pardue is an all-ACC performer in track who is a very talented middle distance runner. She is every bit as talented as Megesi but has not quite developed the confidence and focus. I’m starting to see it Sara and once she believes it, watch out.
“Caruso and Edwards showed me a lot last track season and both did a great job this summer with their running and weight room programs. Last season was a great year for these ladies, and I believe this year will be even better.”
The Jackets will be looking for increased production from the group of Nicole Campbell (Ventura, Ca.), Amanda Woodall (Marietta, Ga.), Carolyn Krieger (Marietta, Ga.), and Eboni Crosby (Aurora, Co.).
“This is a talented group which has shown glimpses of their potential, but has been slowed by injuries and illnesses,” said Drosky. “Any one of them could challenge for our top seven positions, but staying healthy and training consistently is paramount.”
Ashley Espy (Summerville, Ga.), Elizabeth Greene (Whitesburg, Ga.), and Brenda Lord (Maineville, Oh.) will also look for continued improvement and a shot at the top seven.
Tech welcomes the addition of a solid group of freshmen in Amy Dock (Charlotte, N.C.), Aenslee Tanner (Portsmouth, N.H.), Katie Griffin (Stone Mountain, Ga.), and Ginny Smith (Lawrenceville, Ga.).
“I really like what I see in this group of freshmen,” said Drosky. “They are talented and tough, are willing to work hard, and have set big goals for themselves. Exactly what I look for in young runners. I think we’ll see several of these freshmen in our top five to seven.”
The mixture of a proven front-runner, a solid group of developing returnees and a talented freshmen class promises to be a successful combination.
