The Dartmouth women's cross country team has its sights set on a top-four finish at the Ivy League Championships and after a disappointing 2008 campaign, the Big Green are ready to fight for a top spot. Head coach Maribel Sanchez Souther, who begins her seventh season, returns four from her top-7 squad of 2008.

Senior Co-captains, Ali Smrcina (Falmouth, Mass,), and Monica Hernandez (Dallas, Texas) lead the group of returnees. Coach Souther will rely heavily on their leadership and experience to help guide the team. The pair's ability to stay consistent and injury free this season will be a key factor in the Big Green's race to the top.   

Souther will also depend on senior Laura Tabor (Portsmouth, N.H.) to have a big season. Tabor, one of Dartmouth's all-time best steeplers during track season, has shown impressive range and versatility. After missing the 2008 season, the squad will be enhanced by her gritty presence.     

Sophomore Elizabeth Short (North Reading, Mass.), the team's Rookie of the Year in 2008, posted impressive stats as a first year. Running 18:45 at the prestigious Van Cortlandt Park, Short is Dartmouth's top returnee for 2009. Souther believes she has the ability to be among the top runners in the Ivy League and will count on her experience to add to the team's success.     

Classmates Amy Schuman (Lee, N.H.) and Marissa Greco (Princeton, N.J.) were also important contributors to last year's team. Schuman broke the 19:00 barrier at Van Cortland Park. Her strength has shown to be the longer distances and Souther expects her to step up nicely. Greco proved to be a competitor in the beginning of the season before succumbing to mono at the end of the season.    

Newcomers Kaitlyn D'Orazio (York, Maine), Katie Sullivan (Carmel, N.Y.), and Melanie Wilcox (Dallas, Texas) are expected to make an immediate impact on the team. D'Orazio is projected to be one of the Big Green's top runners this year. According to Souther, Sullivan and Wilcox will make a strong showing this season and will be in the hunt for spots in Dartmouth's top seven.