Fitchburg State Cross Country Aims High

Courtesy of Matt Stewart, Sentinel & Enterprise 

FITCHBURG -- When a team sets and achieves a goal of continually improvement, it will eventually creep toward the top of the conference standings. After setting and achieving a difficult team milestone last season, the Fitchburg State University women's cross country team is aiming to do the same in 2013 and take one step closer to the top of its conference.

The Falcons enter the season picked fourth in the eight team MASCAC conference preseason poll, and begin this year's campaign on Saturday when they travel to Keene, N.H, for the Keene State Meet.

"We lost three runners in our top seven, but some of the returners are coming back in great shape," Fitchburg State head coach Jamie Aubuchon said. "I think we're going to fill those gaps very well. We were ranked fourth in the poll, but our goal is to get at least third."

Although moving up the MASCAC standings is an important goal, the ultimate team goal is team improvement in terms of times, which inevitably will allow the Falcons to rise and soar in team placing.

"Last year we improved by a minute from the 2011 season," Aubuchon said. "Our top five team average was 20:50, down from 21:50. Our goal this year (of 20:30) is a little more modest, but the faster you go the tougher it is. If we do 20:30, I think we have a really good shot of moving up to third place or maybe second place in the conference."

A strong candidate to aid in the achievement of that team goal will be the return of star sophomore Erica Mallozzi. Mallozzi, a Gardner High alum, set a career best of 20:30 at the MASCAC meet last season, proving to be the Falcons' top runner at the meet, finishing 14th overall.

"(Mallozzi) is very friendly and a warm person," Aubuchon said. "She's only a sophomore but has this outward confidence that makes her a key leader. She's not in a team leadership role, but with her demeanor, everyone looks up to her. She came in as a freshman last year, and was the No. 1 runner. Right now she's our top runner on paper."

This year marks the second biggest team in Aubuchon's 13-year tenure at the school, as an impressive 15 athletes are participating. Four of the 15 are true freshman which should help toward building the future.

Thus far in the young season, seven or so athletes have set themselves apart from the rest of pack, according to Aubuchon. The Falcons did not have a front runner set in stone, but rather have a number of qualified runners who can take the lead on a given day.

"Bridgewater, Worcester and Westfield had one clear front runner, that would finish in the top five every time," Aubuchon said. "But after that top runner we matched up very well with them. Those three top runners have all graduated, so I'm hoping we can make up ground on those teams now."

Alyson Moreau returns after battling asthma which limited her production towards the end of last season. From all reports Moreau is positioning herself near the top of the pack this year.

"Because of her asthma (Moreau) fell back to our No. 7 runner at the end of last season," Aubuchon said. "She's coming in, in the best shape at the moment. So she could be right there with (Mallozzi)."

Junior Jenae Harrison returns to the squad after finishing third on the team in the MASCAC championship. Joining Harrison as key returners are junior Braila Roy and senior Sam Wilkinson.

Aubuchon notes that Elizabeth Ward, a sophomore and North Middlesex Regional grad, might be one of the surprise Falcons poised for big things after a strong indoor and outdoor track season.

"The team is showing a lot of great potential for this year," Ward said. "A couple of our seniors are looking really good this year, especially (Moreau). My goal for this season is to encourage some of the other ladies to do some more work and training. That would be huge if we want to beat Bridgewater and Westfield this year."

Freshman Kelly McCarthy is most likely the top newcomer, who will be under the radar for the team's MASCAC foes.

Fitchburg High alum Ebony Schuerman is another local product that Aubuchon says demonstrated steady improvement, excellent leadership and strong work ethic.