2001 Season
The 2001 season is one of new beginnings and possibilities for the Lady Gaels. The team must learn to cope with the loss of Jenn Campbell, Amanda Foisy, Meredith Duval, and Megan Mittelholzer, all four of whom have run in the Western Mass meet for the Lady Gaels for the past three years. Clearly, the 2001 version of the Holyoke Catholic Girls' Cross Country team will feature some new faces and some different traditions.
One tradition that the Lady Gaels hope to continue is that of running hard and competing with the best teams in the league. After winning the Eastern Division title the past three years, the team certainly hopes to be one of the favorites to win the title again. Their strongest test should come against Palmer, a team with a lot of talent and a great running tradition of their own. Other teams to watch could be Hampshire and Monson. In the other league, Athol, Frontier, and Mohawk should all field good teams this year.
This year's team features several new members, as well as several returners who will find themselves in a new role, running varsity this year for the first time. So far in practice, our new team members are running hard and improving day-by-day, and our returning members have stepped up and embraced their new responsibilities. Most importantly, everyone's attitude has been great so far! One thing seems certain about this team; they have already accepted two of the traditions that have set Catholic XC apart over the past two years. They work hard, and they have a lot of fun. This season is a new beginning for the Lady Gaels -- so far, it looks like a very good beginning.