Women's cross country sets high goal

After posting a school-best fifth-place finish at the NCAA Championships last November, the team is aiming to improve on its success.

“The top four teams get to stand on the podium at nationals,” Costello said. “If we can keep everybody healthy and motivated, we definitely have a good shot at doing that.”

Captains Costello and Reilly Kiernan ’10 lead an experienced lineup that ranked No. 7 in a national preseason poll of cross country coaches. In addition to the captains, four runners have competed at the NCAA meet at least once: Alexa Glencer ’10, Sarah Cummings ’11, Ashley Higginson ’11, and Alex Banfich ’12.

To reach the NCAA Championships this year, the Tigers must be at their best. Princeton is one of four top-10 teams in the Mid-Atlantic region, and only the top two teams from the regional meet receive automatic bids to race at nationals. (Others are eligible for at-large spots.)