When it comes to team cross country races, it’s a game of points, not times. For the women’s cross country team to place well at the Southern Conference meet this Saturday, the team will have to narrow that points gap.

With sophomore Caitlin Beeler leading the way with a possible top 5 finish and the rest of the top 3 just as strong, the result of the meet may hinge on the fourth and fifth runners for the Phoenix.

“Looking at the rankings right now, we could go third or sixth,” coach Jackie Sgambati said. “It’s that tight this season.”

University of Tennessee- Chattanooga and Davidson College are the perennial leaders in the conference and have all but cemented the top two spots, leaving Appalachian State University, Furman University, College of Charleston and Elon to fight for places three through six.

“It’s going to be really tight between those four teams,” Sgambati said. “If we have a really good day and show up we could have a really strong showing.”

But a strong showing keys on the bottom half of the Phoenix roster and a smaller time gap.

“The most pressure is on our fourth and fifth girl right now,” Sgambati said. “If they don’t run closer to our top 3 it could make the difference between third place and sixth place…we’ve been trying all season to close that gap between the number three girl and the four and five girl, but it’s still a little too much.”

Junior Katie White is a major part of the shrinking gap in the Phoenix top 5 runners. After fighting through an injury for her first two years at Elon, White has powered her way as Elon’s number five runner.

“She has certainly gained confidence and gained speed and closed that gap a little bit,” Sgambati said. “She works well under pressure.”

The women’s team is not coming into the conference meet as healthy as they would like. Flynn is battling a foot injury heading into the conference meet.

Managing Editor: Justin Hite - 10/24/07