University of Minnesota Athletics
Golden Gopher Women's Cross Country Season in Review
12/1/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
- Click Here for Golden Gopher Season in Review Release
The Golden Gophers knew going in that the 2003 women's cross country season would be a challenge and a growing experience. With its top runner, veteran all-region and All-Big Ten performer Darja Vasiljeva sidelined for the season, youth would prevail on this Gopher team.
Minnesota placed sixth at the NCAA Midwest Regional to end the season but all seven Golden Gopher runners earned valuable experience and will return for the 2004 season. Junior Zoe Nagell improved drastically as the season progressed and earned her first all-region honor with a 24th-place finish. Redshirts freshman Emily Brown capped her first collegiate season with all-region honors as well, running to a 25-place showing.
The Gophers worked with a roster that included 16 runners from the freshman and sophomore classes. In addition to the youth, Minnesota had to overcome its veteran leader, Darja Vasiljeva, being lost for the season with a hamstring injury. Another proven leader, Anita Menden, was returning after missing the 2002 season with a foot injury. Menden had helped the Gophers to three NCAA Championships appearance but unfortunately was not able to regain her level of competition following her foot surgery the previous year.
The squad struggled to put together consistent performances. One or two runners would contribute great races but the Gophers were unable to put together a full-team effort. Though frustrating, the experience provided the youthful Gophers to build from the ground up. Future seasons will hopefully benefit from the racing experience these young runners gained in 2003.
Those freshmen and sophomore, sophomores and juniors come the 2004 season, along will the return of Vasiljeva will mean a bright future for the Golden Gopher program.
- Click Here for Golden Gopher Season in Review Release
The Golden Gophers knew going in that the 2003 women's cross country season would be a challenge and a growing experience. With its top runner, veteran all-region and All-Big Ten performer Darja Vasiljeva sidelined for the season, youth would prevail on this Gopher team.
Minnesota placed sixth at the NCAA Midwest Regional to end the season but all seven Golden Gopher runners earned valuable experience and will return for the 2004 season. Junior Zoe Nagell improved drastically as the season progressed and earned her first all-region honor with a 24th-place finish. Redshirts freshman Emily Brown capped her first collegiate season with all-region honors as well, running to a 25-place showing.
The Gophers worked with a roster that included 16 runners from the freshman and sophomore classes. In addition to the youth, Minnesota had to overcome its veteran leader, Darja Vasiljeva, being lost for the season with a hamstring injury. Another proven leader, Anita Menden, was returning after missing the 2002 season with a foot injury. Menden had helped the Gophers to three NCAA Championships appearance but unfortunately was not able to regain her level of competition following her foot surgery the previous year.
The squad struggled to put together consistent performances. One or two runners would contribute great races but the Gophers were unable to put together a full-team effort. Though frustrating, the experience provided the youthful Gophers to build from the ground up. Future seasons will hopefully benefit from the racing experience these young runners gained in 2003.
Those freshmen and sophomore, sophomores and juniors come the 2004 season, along will the return of Vasiljeva will mean a bright future for the Golden Gopher program.
Players Mentioned
