Fitchburg State women's cross country season preview

Courtesy of Matt Stewart - Sentinel & Enterprise

FITCHBURG -- Although moving up in the standings might be a big challenge, with six out of the top seven runners coming back, the Fitchburg State University women's cross country team should be much improved this season.

With continued improvement, teamwork and hard work, the Falcons are looking to be competitive.

Fitchburg State has 15 women in the program, and many are returning veterans. Out of the top seven runners from last year, only one will not return this season.

"We have a couple of women fighting hard to take the last spot in the top seven," Fitchburg State head coach Jamie Aubuchon said. "Last year we were fourth in the conference, and realistically we're probably fourth again, but we're always shooting for third. Bridgewater lost a lot of women, so they may be more vulnerable than Worcester."

Nicole Gaffney, a Wachusett Regional graduate, returns as the team's top runner. Gaffney has been leading the Falcons since she arrived at the school two years ago.

"Her consistency has always been there," Aubuchon said. "Her desire is getting stronger and stronger every day. She's an all-around committed distance runner. I think she's going to continue to build and build."

The Falcons will get a big boost from transfer Ashley Hyde, who figures to be second on the team by the end of the season. Hyde is a Lunenburg High graduate who transferred from Division 2 Southern Connecticut State University.

"It's too early to tell, but what Hyde showed at time trial, if she can stay healthy she should easily be in our top three," Aubuchon said.

Casey Taylor figures to have a quality season, as well, entering as the favorite to snag the third spot on the team.

"Taylor is a second-year junior," Aubuchon said. "She's had a series of recurring injuries and she's battling one not as bad as last year. She's in much better shape now than she was last year at this time."

Oakmont Regional graduate Sadie Zbikowski, a senior, will be in a bit of a battle for the fourth spot on the team. Junior Shawna Ryan will also have a shot to crack the top four. Senior Kelly McCarthy should round out the group of typical scorers in meets.

"They don't know it yet, but they are certainly fighting for the last couple of spots in the scoring," Aubuchon said. "As the season progresses they'll be fighting for spots, but right now we're just doing team-bonding activities."

The Falcons open the season on Saturday as they host the Jim Sheehan Invitational, with the largest turnout yet expected at the team's home course at the Doyle Conservation Area in Leominster. Nearly every MASCAC school will be in attendance, and the MASCAC coaches' poll predicts the Falcons would finish fourth out of seven teams.

On Saturday, Oct. 29, Fitchburg State will host the MASCAC/Alliance Championship Meet in Leominster.

"We love our course," Aubuchon said. "Our first meet may potentially be bigger than our league meet, numbers-wise. We'll definitely know on Saturday how to manage a large meet on the course."

Both the men and women have a new assistant coach for the cross country programs. FSU graduate Chris Kibler held the post the last couple of years, but left this fall to pursue a head coaching job at Keystone College in Pennsylvania.

Kibler's replacement comes with a strong résumé, as Wilson Perez not only served as head coach of cross country and track and field at New England College the past four seasons, but was an eight-time All-American at Keene State in his college running days.

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