Women's Cross Country Enters 2014 With High Expectations

WEST CHESTER, Pa. - Early season praise for West Chester University's women's cross country squad has those surrounding the program eager for the start of the fall campaign this Saturday in Kutztown. High expectations coincide with the Golden Rams' regional ranking of eighth in the preseason. Head Coach Andy Huber returns five harriers from his 2013 squad, including two seasoned veterans, who should contend for a Top 10 spot at the conference championships in November. Throw in a pair of transfers, and things look bright for the Rams' running crew. Leading the way is junior Amanda Eisman, who has received All-PSAC and All-Atlantic Region in her first two years in college. Huber did not hesitate to discuss how Eisman has continued to improve and reflects confidence "A top four or five finish at the conference championships, if not challenging to win it, is realistic," Huber boasted. Senior Leigh Manning-Smith is another key returner. Manning-Smith heads into the season with something to prove, after just missing out on all-conference and all-region accolades last season. Another returner expected to make a difference is junior Caitlin Cheruka. In addition to the returning runners, freshman Meghan Iatarola (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks East) is a player to watch. She was a four-time state qualifier in high school. Two transfer students looking to make an impact are graduate Laurel Jones from Elizabethtown and Alie Smith out of Washington & Jefferson. Jones provides experience as she was a member of Elizabethtown's NCAA qualifying teams the past couple years. "She is a great addition, and one that we were not expecting," Huber disclosed. The Golden Rams were ranked 10th in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference preseason coaches' poll. A strong nucleus led by Eisman and Manning-Smith has the Golden Rams believing they can reach their goal of being top five in the PSAC conference. West Chester opens its 2014 fall slate Saturday at the Division II Challenge in Kutztown, Pa. Two weeks later the Golden Rams head to the Lock Haven Invitational.