Women's Cross Country Season Preview

By Jim Fenton

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Naomi Cass (Westport, Mass.) had a breakthrough season for the Bridgewater State University women's cross country team in 2023.

As a sophomore, Cass became the program's first female runner to reach the NCAA Division 3 Championships since Molly Rouillard in 2012.

She was also the first BSU student-athlete to win the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference individual title since Krysta Zbikowski in 2013.

After dealing with an illness as a freshman in 2022, Cass had a magnificent sophomore season last fall.

Cass is back to lead BSU this season, which begins in Attleboro on Saturday morning at the 10th annual Wheaton and Babson Season Opener.

"She is coming off a lot of success,'' said Bears coach Christine Kloiber. "It's about where do we take the next step. I know she's prepared and she's focused. She's in a good position.

"Her freshman year, she had success in the outdoor season. When you drop minutes in a 5K, that's a huge progression. She did all of her summer training before sophomore year. She came in and was ready and that just catapulted her.

"We were able to keep building on that fitness. I know she can get faster. I know she can make nationals again. Let's see how much higher she can get.''

Cass was 145th in a field of 293 runners at the NCAA race in Newville, Pa., after placing 10th out of 231 at the East Region race. Cass won the MASCAC in 19:10.88 after finishing 36th the year before as a freshman.

Cass and the Bears finished second at the MASCAC Championships with 42 points, behind only Westfield State (34), which won its fourth straight title.

Senior Lily Valcovic (East Taunton, Mass.) is also back for BSU after finishing fifth to earn All-MASCAC honors.

"She had a great season last year and did 19:19 on the track, so I have no reason to believe she can't break 19 minutes this season,'' said Kloiber.

Seniors Ana Imrie (Arlington, Mass.) and Kate Brown (Acushnet, Mass.) are also back.

"Ana is going to break a lot of PRs this year," said Kloiber. "She's fit and healthy and ready to go.

"Kate hasn't had a chance to have a cross country season where she's fully healthy. She's going to snap into it quickly this season. She has bounced back really well.''

The roster includes graduate student Lisa Jaeger (Medfield, Mass.) and freshman Rhea Khanderia (Marlborough, Mass.).

"We're a little bit short on numbers, but that's OK because the returners are fantastic," said Kloiber. "They are dialed in. They are fit and they are such a focused and supportive group with a ton of positivity.

"That's the culture we want. To me, it doesn't matter how big we are. When we have that, and that is going to be huge. The attitudes are great. We have a whole lot of talent. We pack a good punch. It's about staying positive and staying focused."