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By Laurie Stein

The Oberlin men’s and women’s cross country teams were off last week in preparation for the last meet of the season tomorrow, the NCAC Championships at The College of Wooster.

“The team has been tapering and resting,” senior captain Sarah Bennett said. “They have been doing what needs to be done in the days leading up to a big meet. Lots of sleep, lots of water.”

Both the men’s and the women’s team have struggled with injuries this year. Bennett’s season concluded prematurely with a femoral stress fracture. A captain of the men’s team, senior Alex Scally, has fought to recover from illness.

“[Alex] has been running well in our last few workouts. I know he will be feeling confident and healthy for conference Saturday, just like the rest of the team,” junior Mike Pennino said.

Three weeks ago, Oberlin opened the championship season at the All-Ohio Championships at Ohio Wesleyan University Oct. 11.

The men’s team placed 24th overall and ninth out of 20 Division III schools. Senior Adam Greeney placed 24th in 28:16 to lead the Yeomen, and first-year Travis Grout followed three seconds later in 25th.

The Yeowomen took 25th overall, placing tenth of 19 Division III teams. Senior Juila Goeke paced Oberlin, finishing in 19th at 20:07.

“The course was fairly flat and I felt that almost the whole team had really fast times,” Pennino said.

Bennett agreed.

“Individual performances were stellar, with a majority of the women running season PRs,” she said.

While the men’s team has been improving since last season, due in part to greater participation, the women’s team has had something of a rebuilding year.

“We have an extremely young team this year, with seven freshmen and four upperclass runners who have never run with us before,” Bennett said. “We have been adding depth to our team and the program has a bright future with the young contingent coming into their own.”