Head Coach: 

James Li (13th Year)

 

Last Year:
1st Pac-12

1st West Region

2nd NCAA

 

Probable Top Five:

SR Nicci Corbin (4:20 1500m; 16:04 5k; 22nd NCAA XC '13)

JR Kayla Beattie (9:16 3k; 16:22 5k; 5th Pac-12 XC '13; 90th NCAA XC '13)

SR Kate Penney (4:20 1500m; 2:10 800m)

SR Stephanie Bulder (9:30 3k; 16:38 5k; 34:35 10k; 112th NCAA XC '13)

SR Kristina Aubert (9:43 3k; 16:29 5k; 33:54 10k; 124th NCAA XC '13) 

 

Impact Freshman/Recruits:

Kristina Aubert - From Arkansas State (9:43 3k; 16:29 5k; 33:54 10k; 124th NCAA XC '13)

Eva-Lou Edwards - Bayfield, CO (5:18 1600m; 11:03 3200m; 2x Colorado State XC Champ)

Claire Green - Monarch, CO (5:00 1600m; 2:11 800m; 88th NXN '13)

Addi Zerrenner - Dos Pueblos, CA (5:02 1600m; 10:13 3200m; 2nd CIF XC '13, 109th NXN '13)

Analysis:
Arizona had almost a perfect year last year, only losing at the NCAA meet. First in the Pac12 and first in the West Region is an amazing year in and of itself.

 

So why are they only ranked 10th in our poll?

 

The loss of Swedish import Maria Larrson, Li’s number two runner, really hurts the Tuscon bunch. This, along with the expected loss of senior top runner Elvin Kibet, means that Coach Li is going to have to really coach up some newcomers in order to repeat at the Pac12 and West Region meet.

 

However, don’t cry too many tears for Li quite yet.

 

He gets a good  transfer from Arkansas State in Kristina Aubert, who ran 33:54 for 10k last spring. She will fit in nicely.  Add in Addi (no pun intended) Zerrenner, who was second in the CIF cross country last year and ran a terrific 10:13 for 3200m, and you have some fresh talent to work with.

 

Keep in mind it is not like it was an empty shelf to start with as the Lady Wildcats return senior Niki Corbin who raced to a 22nd place finish at last year’s NCAA. And to go with Corbin, junior Kayla Beattie was 5th in the Pac 12 meet.

 

Two more solid seniors, Kate Penney, who notched a 4:20 on the track for 1500m last year and Stephanie Bulder, who showed strength last spring with a 34:35 10k. If she is the number five or six, Coach Li is in good shape.

 

The Wildcats are a bit wounded this fall, but certainly not down and done.  

#10 Wisconsin Men
#11 Colorado Women