Waterman 85th in nation

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By Matt Muncy, November 24, 2009

“It was a good run overall. A great run would have been 50 but like I said before you have to be there once,” said head coach Paul Sargent. “Now that she has been there we can get back to nationals next year and do some damage.”

 

Her automatic qualification for nationals came last weekend when she finished ninth at the D-III Great Lakes Regional.

 

16 teams and 64 additional individual racers participate in the event for a total of 280 runners.

 

Waterman finished with a time of 23:28.5.

 

“It wasn’t my best race, but I had a wonderful time and it was a wonderful experience. I am still happy with my experience I wish I would have finish all American, top 35, but I am happy.”

 

Wendy Pavlus, a junior, from St. Lawrence University won the NCAA-III individual championship with a time of 21:28.

 

Sargent had said a runner’s first time at nationals was their chance to take in the experience and learn how what it takes to win and Waterman was able to learn from her experience and now knows what to expect next season.

 

“I would this next year, if I am blessed enough to go, that I would know there are a lot of good girls,” said Waterman. “I was used to running in the top 10 which is not where I was running.”

 

Waterman finished the season being named HCAC runner of the week five times, named to the All-HCAC team at conference, named conference runner of the year, and named to the All-Region team at regionals.

 

“This season was amazing overall,” said Waterman. “It gives me something to build on for next year.”

 

Sargent now wants to start getting Waterman ready for next season to help her get back to nationals and help her win.

 

“The goal in every athlete is to move up a level and we will look at the level above her and work on getting her there.”