Women's Cross Country: FSU Aims For Breakout Season

Courtesy of Matt Stewart, Sentinel & Enterprise

FITCHBURG -- It has been a gradual building process for the Fitchburg State University women's cross country team.

Not only do the Falcons have the numbers this year, but they also have the talent, and should cement themselves in the top half of the eight-team MASCAC conference.

"We have our biggest team ever," Fitchburg State head coach Jamie Aubuchon said. "We have 19 women on the team this year. I have two upperclassmen who are coming out for cross country for the first time, transferring over from track, and we have eight freshmen."

The biggest meet of the year is the MASCAC championship, where the Falcons took home a respectable fourth-place showing last year. This year, the Falcons are hoping to break into the elusive top-three ranking.

"We've gotten fourth for the last three or four years in a row, so we're looking for a minimum of third," Aubuchon said. "It really depends on how the other schools recruited, if we can move up to the top two. I'm feeling really, really confident about our chances this year."

Two Falcons will battle for the top spot on the Fitchburg State roster. Incoming freshman Nicole Gaffney might have the upper hand after the summer preseason slate.

Gaffney was a standout for cross country power Wachusett Regional last year, which finished second at the Central Mass. Division 1 race last season. Gaffney placed 10th among Division 1 runners, finishing with a time of 19:05.5 at the revamped course at Gardner Municipal Golf Course.

Jenae Harrison returns for her senior season after finishing fourth among Falcon runners at last season's MASCAC meet. Harrison was not able to attend camp until Thursday, but her level of fitness is likely higher than it has ever been.

"(Gaffney) is clearly the top runner that we have at camp, but our top returner, Jenae Harrison, is not at camp yet," Aubuchon said earlier this week. "(Harrison), from what I've heard, is in fantastic shape, and we should have our best 1-2 punch in years at Fitchburg State. The fact that (Harrison) is coming into her best shape ever is going to be good for (Gaffney). You want a stud freshman, and I've got one, and you just want someone for her to train with."

North Middlesex graduate Elizabeth Ward is another key returner who has shown steady progress throughout her career to this point. She finished third among Falcon runners at last year's MASCAC meet. Jess Mangan is another junior to keep an eye on after enjoying a breakout performance during the spring track season.

"Mangan was around our eighth-best runner last year and showed great improvement," Aubuchon said. "We have a stronger team this year, but she shed a minute and a half off of her time. I expect a two-minute improvement out of her, which is a huge number for a veteran."

Oakmont Regional product Sadie Zbikowski is transferring in from UConn and could be the biggest surprise addition to the Fitchburg State ranks. Zbikowski has a lot of potential, but due to an injury is not practicing with the team just yet.

Shawna Ryan is a freshman who seems to be emerging through the early portion of the season -- part of solid group of incoming freshmen.

"In addition to being the biggest team we've had, this is our biggest freshman group, as well," Aubuchon said. "We go easy in camp to make sure we get through it before ramping up next week. Having so many freshmen is exciting because we know we have a future, and I think they're feeling it, too."

Two track transplants will give cross country a try, as Alexis Podedworny and Karollynn Wickless-Adams look to transfer their track skills onto the long, wooded course this season.