Columbia Cross Country Hosts Ivy League Championships Friday
10/25/2006 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
One of the longest-running and most successful shows on Broadway, Columbia Women and Men's Cross Country, makes its 2006 Ivy League debut Friday, October 29, when the Lions are hosts to the Ivy League Heptagonal Cross Country Championships. They will be held at Van Cortlandt Park, Broadway and West 248th Street in the Bronx, with the men's race at 10:45 a.m. and the women's race one hour later, at 11:45 a.m.
In recent years, Columbia has dominated the women's competition and been among the top men's teams. The Lions have won four consecutive Ivy League Heptagonal women's championships, while the men's team won the championship in 2004 after finishing second in 2002 and 2003. If the Columbia women were to finish first Friday, they would be only the second school to win five consecutive Ivy League Heptagonal women's championships, equaling Harvard's feat from 1981 to 1985.
“We have been preparing for this day for 150 straight days and hope to run our best race of the season,” says Willy Wood, Columbia's head coach of men and women's cross country, speaking of the women's team. “If we are able to fully actualize our potential, I think we can finish higher than most people would have thought, coming into the season.”
However, Wood concedes, “On the women's side, Princeton looks to be hands down the team to beat.” He also sees Yale and Cornell as strong contenders for second and third.
The men's team competition may be a repeat of last season. “It's seemingly turning into a potential replay of last year's Ivy Heptagonal meet between Princeton and Dartmouth,” Wood notes. “Both squads were significantly stronger than any of the other Ivies [at the] Pre-Nationals in Indiana two weeks ago.”
The coach tabbed Brown as the strongest contender for third place, also a repeat of the 2005 meet. If Columbia breaks into the top three, it will be due to the Lions' trademark “Pack” running style. “Our strength,” he says, “is that we can put five guys within 15 seconds of each other.”
Columbia looked very impressive in finishing third at Lehigh's Paul Short Run September 29; the Lions defeated all of the Ivy League schools who entered, while losing only to Villanova and Pitt. The top contenders at the Heps will include seniors Brian Horneck (Hermiston, Ore.) and Gabriel Johnston (Toronto, Ont.).
For the first time in three seasons, Columbia All-American Caroline Bierbaum will not be the favorite for the women's individual title. Bierbaum, recipient of the 2005 Honda Award as the nation's top women's cross country runner, won the Ivy Heptagonal championship in 2004 and 2005, the latter in 17:01.4, which broke a 23-year old record.
Bierbaum graduated last summer, and now attends Cardozo Law School. She will be at the 2006 Heptagonals in her role as a volunteer cross country and track & field coach for Columbia.
Most coaches concede the 2006 women's title to Yale junior Lindsay Donaldson, who has enjoyed a superb fall. Princeton's Mia Swenson and Jolee Van Leuven, and Penn's twin sisters, Claire and Stacy Kim, are strong contenders, as is Columbia junior Carmen Ballard.
“Carmen has made great strides this fall,” Wood says.
For results following the Heptagonals, click here for men's results and click here for women's results.
In recent years, Columbia has dominated the women's competition and been among the top men's teams. The Lions have won four consecutive Ivy League Heptagonal women's championships, while the men's team won the championship in 2004 after finishing second in 2002 and 2003. If the Columbia women were to finish first Friday, they would be only the second school to win five consecutive Ivy League Heptagonal women's championships, equaling Harvard's feat from 1981 to 1985.
“We have been preparing for this day for 150 straight days and hope to run our best race of the season,” says Willy Wood, Columbia's head coach of men and women's cross country, speaking of the women's team. “If we are able to fully actualize our potential, I think we can finish higher than most people would have thought, coming into the season.”
However, Wood concedes, “On the women's side, Princeton looks to be hands down the team to beat.” He also sees Yale and Cornell as strong contenders for second and third.
The men's team competition may be a repeat of last season. “It's seemingly turning into a potential replay of last year's Ivy Heptagonal meet between Princeton and Dartmouth,” Wood notes. “Both squads were significantly stronger than any of the other Ivies [at the] Pre-Nationals in Indiana two weeks ago.”
The coach tabbed Brown as the strongest contender for third place, also a repeat of the 2005 meet. If Columbia breaks into the top three, it will be due to the Lions' trademark “Pack” running style. “Our strength,” he says, “is that we can put five guys within 15 seconds of each other.”
Columbia looked very impressive in finishing third at Lehigh's Paul Short Run September 29; the Lions defeated all of the Ivy League schools who entered, while losing only to Villanova and Pitt. The top contenders at the Heps will include seniors Brian Horneck (Hermiston, Ore.) and Gabriel Johnston (Toronto, Ont.).
For the first time in three seasons, Columbia All-American Caroline Bierbaum will not be the favorite for the women's individual title. Bierbaum, recipient of the 2005 Honda Award as the nation's top women's cross country runner, won the Ivy Heptagonal championship in 2004 and 2005, the latter in 17:01.4, which broke a 23-year old record.
Bierbaum graduated last summer, and now attends Cardozo Law School. She will be at the 2006 Heptagonals in her role as a volunteer cross country and track & field coach for Columbia.
Most coaches concede the 2006 women's title to Yale junior Lindsay Donaldson, who has enjoyed a superb fall. Princeton's Mia Swenson and Jolee Van Leuven, and Penn's twin sisters, Claire and Stacy Kim, are strong contenders, as is Columbia junior Carmen Ballard.
“Carmen has made great strides this fall,” Wood says.
For results following the Heptagonals, click here for men's results and click here for women's results.
Interview: XC | Coach Ireland after Heps
Friday, October 31
Preview: XC NCAA Championships
Friday, November 18
Preview: 2022 XC Ivy League Heps
Thursday, October 27
Interview: XC | Tyler Berg Heps
Saturday, October 30
