Jen Noel
Staff Reporter
For most, running an elaborate course dotted with valleys and hills would seem like an unmanageable task to complete. However, this is not the case for sophomore cross country runner Lindsay Wilson. In fact, she makes racing look effortless.
The Loyola transfer has proved that her decision to come to McDaniel will not go unnoticed by competitors and teammates alike. On Saturday, September 13, during the Green Terror Challenge held at McDaniel, Wilson took first in the 5K race in 20.07 minutes and second in the 3K race in 12.14 minutes. Her efforts boosted the Green Terror runners to a first place finish in the 3K and second in the 5K races.
For Wilson, the decision to make a move to McDaniel was not a difficult one.
“I knew that I could run at McDaniel, and Coach Renner told me to choose where would make me happy,” said Wilson. “I had friends that went here and they loved it.”
The coaching staff also recognizes the contribution that Wilson can make to the women’s team including helping them achieve their season goals. The women’s cross country Coach, Diana Pool, has high expectations for the team this season and feels Wilson is a great asset to add to a group of already accomplished runners including Roxanne Fleischer and Emily Peoples who also finished in the top ten in the GT Challenge.
“She is very hard-working athlete who constantly pushes herself and others to success,” Pool said regarding Wilson. “The team has a lot more depth this year than in previous seasons, and I think that will be a real benefit, especially in later season meets.”
The team will face both York College and attend the Paul Short Invitational at Lehigh in the upcoming weeks and hope to keep a strong grip on a high conference standing and improve on their tenth place finish in the conference championships last season.
Wilson is the first to recognize the necessity of a team effort in order to have a successful season and improve finishes at major meets. “The team is made up of so many different personalities, but we are such a close-knit group,” said Wilson.
One thing is certain for the remainder of the season: Wilson and her cross country teammates will keep competition sizzling in the Centennial Conference.