Distance Runners Anticipate Another Successful Season

(12/1/2004)

By Jessica Genninger
Daily Staff Writer

If the distance runners perform for the track team like they did for the cross country team this fall, then this indoor men's track and field season should be another success story.

The cross country team won the NESCAC, ECAC and NCAA Div. III championships this year and placed sixth at Nationals, the best finish in Tufts history. Coach Connie Putman, who was named the 2004 NCAA Div. III New England Region Coach of the Year for cross country, is in his 21st season as head coach.

Under his guidance, the men's cross country and track programs have become competitive on the national level and enjoy a tradition of success.

This year shouldn't be an exception. Putnam has a lot of talent to work with, and his indoor team finished second of 21 New England Div. III schools last year, behind only Williams.

The distance runners were the strength of the team in last year's indoor season, and they will look to continue the momentum they gathered during their successful cross country season.

"We've come off a pretty successful cross country season," sophomore Josh Kennedy said. "So we expect to continue that momentum through track. We're hoping to get a few guys on the performance lists for Nationals, and probably qualify a couple of guys for the 1,500-meter run and 5-[kilometer run] and the distance-medley relay."

In last year's spring season, Kennedy placed second in the 10,000 meter at the All-New England's and won the same event at the NESCAC championships, earning him All-NESCAC status.

Senior Nate Brigham led the way for Tufts this cross country season as a co-captain. He's has been a key runner for the Jumbos during his time at Tufts for all three running seasons, and he holds the Tufts record for the 5,000 and the 10,000.

Brigham believes being cross country champions sets up expectations for the track season. "Everyone knows we have the best distance program in New England," Brigham said. "No one can argue it now. We have to live up to our reputation now."

Last year, Brigham won the 5,000 at Div. III New England's and captured the 3,000 twice during the indoor season. He qualified for Nationals in the 5,000 and finished ninth in the nation, just short of earning All-American Status.

In his last indoor season as a Jumbo, Brigham will be looking to improve upon his already stellar record.

"I came so close to getting All-American last year in the indoors," Brigham said of his personal goals this year. "That's definitely my goal, to get back to Nationals and get All-American. I just want to improve and enjoy my final two seasons at Tufts."

Other distance runners who gave solid performances in last year's indoor season are senior Brian McNamara and classmate Aaron Kaye, as well as juniors Matt Lacey, Kyle Doran, Matt Fortin, Michael Don and sophomore Dan Sullivan.

Don was strong last indoor season but had to sit out part of this year's cross country season due to mononucleosis. Lacey and Doran were both successful in the 1,500 last year, and this year Sullivan and Kaye will likely run various races.

According to Brigham, the distance-medley relay is an area the team is looking to strengthen and hopefully send to Nationals this year.

Last year, runners such as McNamara, Doran, sophomore Nate Cleveland and Fortin were often components of the four-man distance-medley relay. This year, the same runners and possibly others will be considered.

Last season, Putnam chose McNamara, Cleveland, Fortin and junior 400-meter runner Ray Carre, who will not be running this year, to compete in the distance-medley relay at the NCAA's.

The team's leaders, co-captains Brigham, Kaye and junior sprinter Trevor Williams, plan to teach the underclassmen good work habits.

"We'll try to encourage people to take care of themselves," Brigham said. "Get enough sleep, eat well and train hard."

This season, expect a solid display from all the distance runners. Their expectations are high, and deservedly so based on past performances.

Perhaps Brigham sums it up best. "I want to have a good time," Brigham said. "And run fast."