University of Minnesota Athletics
Hopkins Previews Midwest Regional
11/12/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
By Mallory Wickman, Athletic Communications Student Intern
MINNEAPOLIS - Coming off of a fifth-place showing at the Big Ten Championships, the No. 20 Minnesota women's cross country team heads into Friday's NCAA Midwest Regional looking to earn its tenth-straight NCAA Championship berth. Head coach Sarah Hopkins believes that the team is in a good place heading into the regional meet.
"We know we have a job to do on Friday and we are not taking it lightly," Hopkins said. "We are not going into the race assuming that we will walk through to nationals. There's a lot of work that needs to be done before that. I think we are in a good situation where everyone is healthy and ready to rock and roll."
Along with five runners returning to the Midwest Regional, the Golden Gophers' roster includes five runners making their postseason debuts. With the unique dynamic of experienced runners and rookies, Hopkins has put a lot of effort into making sure both groups are where they need to be.
"With the younger runners, it is still just building confidence and trying to make sure that they aren't getting too tired or over-training at this time of the year," Hopkins said. "It's important from a training perspective to make sure that we have a whole team game plan."
Hopkins likes this year's balance of veteran and new runners representing the Gophers.
"It helps to have fresh blood and different people," Hopkins said. "The freshman and sophomores will have the drive and motivation to prove themselves. As a coach, that makes it fun but also nerve-racking in some ways.
"The upperclassmen are used to this grind until the end of the season. We need to get our top three where they need to be and then have those next four runners all pounding into the top 35-40."
In terms of leadership, Hopkins turns to her most experienced runner, fifth-year senior Ashlie Decker, and believes that she will help get everyone where they need to be. She looks to Decker's race-savvy experience, along with Kate Bucknam's tenacity, to direct the younger runners.
Representing the Gophers at the Midwest Regional are Danielle Anderson, Liz Berkholtz, Kate Bucknam, Ashlie Decker, Becca Dyson, Haley Johnson, Bailey Ness, Jamie Piepenburg, Madeline Strandemo and Kaila Urick.
The 2014 NCAA Midwest Regional is set for Friday in Peoria, Ill. The women's 6K race begins at noon CT, followed by the men's 10K at 1 p.m. CT.
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