“Finishing in the top half of the MIAA last season for the first time gives this team something to build on,” fourth-year head coach Jackie Bauters said. “This team has only begun to realize how good they can be.”

One the strengths of the squad will be their ability to rely on a group of sophomores to produce solid results.

Catie Salyer is one sophomore that will provide top performances for the Belles. Salyer was a scoring runner in the six events she participated in. In the final team race of the season, she showed her potential by running the 6K course at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional in 24:14.

Two other sophomore runners will also figure heavily into the scoring mix this year. Clare McVey scored team points in three different events in 2007, while Stephanie Waite was a scoring runner in two races.

“This group of second year runners has so much talent. They have the ability to run sub-20 minute 5K times on a consistent basis if they continue to work and practice hard,” Bauters said.

While the youth of the squad is another one of its strengths, there is a core group of returning harriers that will push their younger teammates while keeping Saint Mary’s high in the team standings.

Caitlin Brodmerkel had a strong finish at the end of last season. The co-captain placed in the top five at the season ending MIAA Championships, helping the Belles to a fourth place team finish. The senior posted her best collegiate time last season at the Manchester Invitational when she ran the 5K course in 20:35.

Junior Megan McClowry was a scoring runner in all eight of the Belles races last year and has been a top finisher for Saint Mary’s in all 17 collegiate races she has competed in. At last year’s Manchester Invitational, McClowry ran the first sub-20 minute 5K of her career with a time of 19:57, helping Saint Mary’s to a third place team finish.