Women's Cross Country Enters 2004 With Renewed Energy
Aug. 24, 2004
Coral Gables, Fla. (hurricanesports.com) – The Miami Hurricanes Women’s cross country team has begun preparations for the upcoming season with a renewed energy. With the move to the ACC the Hurricanes are excited about the possibilities the upcoming season brings.
The Hurricanes return their top three runners from last season including junior Melanie Schultz (Davidson, MI), sophomore Lindsay Rohrs (St. Charles, IL) and senior Marilyn Ruiz (Hallendale, FL).
Schultz was the Hurricanes top finisher in five of the six meets last season including individual victories at the Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish Invitational and the FIU Invitational. She also recorded a 40th place finish at the NCAA South Region Cross Country Championships.
According to Coach Mike Ward, Schultz should be the leader on the team this season and he looks forward to seeing her post good results.
Rohrs competed in five events as a freshman for the Hurricanes in 2003, placing second on the team in four of those meets. She also placed in the top 75 at the NCAA South Region Cross Country Championships.
Ruiz, the lone senior on the team, was a consistent performer for the Hurricanes last season and was UM’s top finisher at the Hatter Cross Country Invitational. Other returning runners include sophomores Ginou Etienne (Miami), Allison McElhaney (Jacksonville, FL), Melissa Preston (Richmond, VA), and junior Zully Marie Pascual (Leisure City, FL).
“With Schultz, Rohrs and Ruiz, we have a solid top three line-up,” says Ward. “The remaining runners are very close in times and will battle each other for the four and five positions.”
Coach Ward has added three newcomers to the team this season including Katie McInvale (Columbia, MO), Amy Miller (Farmington Hills, MI) and DeeDee Phlatts (Silver Spring, MD).
With the move to the ACC this season, Coach Ward expects the competition to increase.
“The ACC is a tough conference,” says Ward. “We will have to train hard in order to be successful.”
The Hurricanes open the season at the Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish Invitational on Saturday, September 4 in West Palm Beach.
