Women's Cross Country Looks to Climb the A-Sun Charts in 2010

MACON, Ga. - Mercer University’s women’s cross country squad will be looking to build on a strong nucleus of returning talent heading into the 2010 season. Last year the Bears finished ninth and MU head coach Ryan Bailey looks for that to improve greatly.

“The women ran a faster team average during our time-trial than we clocked at Conference last fall” said Bailey.  “I think this team will be, hands down, the fastest women’s team Mercer has ever fielded. My goal for the conference meet is for the team average to be under 19:00 (the current school record is 19:32 – set at Campbell in 2005). 

“Kacie Niemann, Lena Hamvas and Linda Batna are all looking very strong already and, on the whole, the team is much deeper in talent than ever before.”

Niemann, a sophomore, had a banner freshman season for MU.  In her first year wearing the Orange and Black, Niemann earned a second-team All-A-Sun award with a 13th place finish at the conference championship meet. In addition to being a new school record in the 5K, her time of 18:32 was also good enough to earn her placement on the A-Sun All-Freshman Team.

Hamvas and Batna are both newcomers to the team, bringing in impressive credentials as they begin their college careers. Hamvas was an all-county and all-metro runner at Walton High School, while Batna is Bailey’s Latvian import who was among her country’s top distance runners.

The Bears will find depth from returning senior Clara Densmore  – a three-time A-Sun All-Academic selection – as well as senior Jenna Jackson, junior Christina Kivi, and sophomores Kasie Knapper, Hannah Stark and Lesa Webber. Junior Amalia Bugge – a member of the Bears’ women’s tennis program – is also joining the squad for 2010.

In addition to Densmore, Jackson,Kivi, Knapper, Niemann and Stark were all also named to the A-Sun’s All-Academic Team to continue the team’s long-standing tradition of excellence in the classroom.

In all, Mercer welcomes back seven letterwinners from 2009 and six newcomers.

The Bears will travel to the University of Georgia Invitational on Saturday (Sept. 4) with an 8 a.m. start time for the meet. The races will take place at the Equestrian Sports Complex in Bishop, Ga.