Off To A Running Start
12/19/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track and Field
Dec. 19, 2000
Winston-Salem, N.C. -
As Annie Schweitzer Bennett enters her second year as the head coach of the Wake Forest University women's cross country and track & field teams, she can hardly stand still because she is so anxious to get out on the track with her team.
"I am real excited mostly because we have such a young fresh group," said Bennett. "Our freshmen are clinging on to our few seniors, so they can be ready to toe the line. The chemistry is really good right now. I think it is really unknown what we'll do."
Bennett speaks highly of her freshman class, because the group of rookies is loaded with potential.
"This is the best freshmen class I've had in my seven years of coaching. I think all these kids are national-level kids. We're going to see quite a few of these student athletes qualify for the NCAA Championships. The 2000-2001 freshmen class will really set the standard for freshmen down the line."
Wake compliments its talented corps of newcomers with an experienced group of returners.
"Our half-mile group is unbelievable," Bennett said. "In the 800m and 1,500m we have incredible depth. We think we'll have 4-5 girls run under 2:07 (800m) outdoors and under 2:10 indoors. We also think we'll have four girls to break 4:50 in the mile.
"I think a lot of people will be surprised about the strength of our multi-event group. Last year we didn't score in the event and this year I think we'll score three individuals. Wake Forest has a great tradition in the 3,000 and the 5,000 and we have some big shoes to fill with Janelle (Kraus) being gone, but I think we'll have somebody step up and cover those areas."
Entering the 2001 indoor season, Bennett has set high expectations for the Demon Deacons. With two-time All-American Jill Snyder returning for her last year of indoor eligibility, Bennett knows that the lofty goals are attainable.
"One of the main goals is to qualify a team to the indoor nationals in the distance medley relay. Only 12 teams of the 308 universities qualify and we want to be one of those teams. We were there last year and we think we can again this year. The goal is to primarily have a freshman team and then have Jill Snyder and Summer Shaw qualify in an open event. We could possibly have eight ladies at nationals in just the indoor season."
Probably the greatest indicator of the progress Wake Forest has made in it track & field program is its depth. A diverse roster consists of talent all across the board.
"Half of our group did not run cross country and that's the group that will probably make it to the indoor and outdoor nationals. That says a lot about the depth of our program."
The Deacs will most likely be riding high on the momentum created by a very successful season for the Wake Forest cross country team. Finishing third in the 2000 ACC Championships and third in the 2000 NCAA Southeast Regionals, the Demon Deacons qualified for the 2000 NCAA Championships.
"They came in here not knowing what to expect, since most of them were freshmen or transfers, but they really gained a lot of experience and a lot of excitement," Bennett said. "They will be ready to race outdoors."
Looking over the 2001 schedule, Bennett predicts big results in South Bend, Ind., and has modified her coaching philosophy to best utilize the diverse talent on her squad.
"The turning point for us will be the Notre Dame meet in February," said Bennett. "I don't always believe in this, but we will split up our squad a little bit in the last weekend of March. We are going to have different kids going to different parts of the country, which I normally do not believe in, but we need to get a certain group of kids an opportunity on the west coast that is not available on the east coast. In addition to several transfers and freshmen on board this year, Coach Bennett's cabinet had a complete overhaul, adding new faces to the Demon Deacon coaching staff. John Williams and Jennifer Hoppe will serve as assistant coaches, Janelle Kraus will serve as a student assistant and Mike Bennett will lend a hand as a volunteer assistant.
"It is a real balanced staff," said Bennett. "John Williams brings a great knowledge of all the throwing events and an understanding of the biomechanics. One of the great things about having Jennifer Hoppe around is that our team knows where she started as a freshman and how her work ethic and work capacity has brought her to where she is now, where she is going and what she wants to do. It is wonderful having a young person out there to really communicate and train along with them, especially in an event (heptathlon) so new to Wake Forest.
"I can't say enough about Janelle Kraus. Just having her energy and enthusiasm on our team really benefits everyone. She left big shoes to fill, but at least she is still around to help encourage everyone to try. Our volunteer assistant coach, Mike Bennett, has been coaching for as long as I have. He brings an aspect of lightheartedness and humor, with the focus to keep everyone levelheaded. He's a really good teacher and trainer on the technical aspects of events."
The Demon Deacons will hit the ground running, jumping and throwing on Jan. 12 when they travel to Bucknell University, to compete in the Hershey's Invitational. Bennett and her staff are looking forward to the season getting underway and guiding the Deacs through a successful year.
"We think we are going to have some real breakthrough performances this year," said Bennett. "It is real exciting for the coaching staff. We primarily recruit developmental kids who have room to improve. So for us to watch them in training excites everyone, because they see what they're doing to improve and we see what they're doing. My whole coaching staff is excited everyday when they come out to practice because they know that they can offer a little bit more each day and they know that the kids can pick up on it."
