CAPTAINS' CHRONICLES: JULIE ROBERTS AND SARAH BARNARD PREVIEW THE SEASON
Welcome to Captains' Chronicles, GoECSaints.com's newest feature designed to get you more informed and involved with your favorite EC teams through the eyes of the captains.
Welcome to Captains' Chronicles, GoECSaints.com's newest feature designed to get you more informed and involved with your favorite EC teams through the eyes of the captains.
Nick Sczerbinski, Assistant Sports Information Director: How was the off-season? Did it include a lot of running?
Julie Roberts: I worked a lot, trained for cross country. Nothing super exciting.
Sarah Barnard: I work at a camp in the summer and I did some training. I ran a half marathon and did a couple of 5K's.
NS: Did you do anything different to prepare for this season compared to others?
JR: Not really, I ran a little bit of a higher mileage, but nothing too crazy.
SB: I did about the same, this is my last season so I want it to be the best.
NS: How does it feel to be back on campus?
JR: I'm happy to be back. It's nice to run with people again, I was getting bored towards the end of the summer running by myself, so I love having people to run with.
SB: I love being in the city, I just love running with people and it's hard to find the motivation to run by myself so it's fun being back with the team.
NS: What does it mean to you to be leaders this season?
JR: It means helping the coaches with anything that needs to be done. You take leadership at practice, organizing warmups and drills and making sure the new people are comfortable with the team and answering any questions that come up.
NS: Speaking of new people, did you do any kind of team bonding activities with the freshmen during preseason?
JR: Over preseason, we did a scavenger hunt which was really fun. I think the freshmen enjoyed it. It helped them see the city in different places and also helped them bond with the team
SB: Having double practices helped too, and just getting to know them outside of practice as well.
NS: How have they dealt with the transition so far?
JR: I think they're transitioning well. It's sort of a slow process when you're coming in as a freshmen, but they're all doing well.
SB: I think being a part of a team makes it easier for the transition because we're there for them and other freshmen coming in don't have older people they can talk to.
NS: Have any incoming runners impressed you so far in training?
JR: Margaret McCaffrey is going to be good.
SB: Mimi Duncan too, a couple of them are very, very fast.
NS: Any team goals for this season?
Both: Win GNACS!
JR: We almost won it last year, we were winning for more than an hour and then we came in second.
NS: Aside from a championship, what are your goals as leaders/captains?
JR: Hopefully everyone has fun this year. I know everyone tends to stress out early, especially the freshmen because you don't always get the times that you had in high school once you get to college. I hope nobody gets too down on themselves and they can pull through and have a good time.
SB: It's really about having fun. I hope everyone improves the way that they want to and meets their goals and I hope the same for myself.
NS: What does Tony (DaRocha)'s coaching style do for the team and what has it done for you as leaders?
JR: Compared to my high school experience, Tony does a lot more tempo work than I was used to. That's really beneficial come race day because you really know the pace that you're supposed to be going.
SB: And even outside of that, he's just always there for everyone. If you have a problem or you're having trouble with practice or making a time, you can go to him and he'll be there for you and help you.
JR: He's a really busy guy, but he'll always make time for you if you ask for it. And Alice, our assistant coach is great, she's like our team mom. She keeps everything organized and is so much help to the whole team. Everyone loves her, she's our biggest support system.
SB: She's awesome, she's so much fun to be around, she makes everyone laugh. We're like a big family.