Editor’s note: This article was initially published in The Daily Gazette, Swarthmore’s online, daily newspaper founded in Fall 1996. As of Fall 2018, the DG has merged with The Phoenix. See the about page to read more about the DG.
On October 18, 2008 the Swarthmore Women’s Cross-Country team came in first place at the Seven Sisters Cross Country Championship. Led by junior Nyika Corbett (second overall), freshman Melissa Frick (third overall), and senior co-captain Bess Ritter (seventh overall) the team totaled 35 points to beat the five other colleges and bring home the championship.
The race was hosted by Smith College in Northampton, MA and features a 5,000-meter course that includes grass, gravel, dirt, and hilly terrain. Despite this challenging course, the Swarthmore team was confident heading into the race.
“We were prepared to win it,” said the team coach Peter Carroll, “Wellesley and Mt. Holyoke had a large senior class last year and our depth was greater than the other teams.”
This depth was evident in the race as Swarthmore had 8 runners finish in the top 18 positions. Out of these Corbett, Frick, and Ritter were named to the Seven Sister’s All Tournament Team. This success resulted in a commanding lead over the other competing colleges – Smith was the closest with 65 points.
The Seven Sisters race is a major event and winning it is something the runners likely will not forget.
“We received about 6-8 emails from Alumnae this past week who emailed me to offer congratulations and reminisce about their experience at Seven Sisters back in the day. This meet is very important to the female athletes of Swarthmore,” said Coach Carroll.
The women’s cross-country team will look to continue their success at the Centennial Conference Championships on November 1 and then at the NCAA Regionals on November 15. The latter will determine whether the team will make it to the national meet the following week.
