Duck runners look for leader
By Dave Charbonneau
Oregon 0»<i> Emaraxi
Tom Heinonen hasn't had to worry for a long
time.
The Oregon women's cross c ountry coach has
i (insistently had at least one — and sometimes two
or three — of the top runners in the Pacific-10
Conference.
In the late 1980s. Stephanie Wessell and Liz
Wilson were mainstays at the top in virtually
every meet. Then it was the trio of Nicole Wood
ward, Luc v Nusrala and Lisa Karnopp who led the
Ducks into the 1990s.
Woodward's graduation in the spring marked
the end of that crew, and thus an era of Oregon
cross country.
Heinonen is not sure who's on dec k to contin
ue the tradition of dominating Duck runners. Hut
as ho sees it. he has nothing to worry about and
has every reason to believe this year's group will
he able to successfully defend last year's Par-10
title.
”1 don't know if we have a front runner or not."
Heinonen said. "The important thing is that we
have four of our top seven runners returning from
last season, and they're healthy."
The one sethat k could la1 that the fifth laud pos
sibly most talented) of the top seven returnees.
Heidi Van Borkulo, is nursing an injured hip and
it's still questionable just how solid she will be
able lo perform Ibis season, especially early on
Van Borkulo is coming off of a second-plat e fin
ish at the 1993 Par-lDTrac k and Field Champi
onships in the 10.000 meters, finished last year's
cross i ountry season with an eighth plat e at I’m
Ids. a fifth -it district and finished dlst at the
NCAA meet, all in her freshman season
Heidi is our strongest returning athlete.''
Ileinonen said "We definitely won't he as good il
she isn't able to run at lull strength."
II that is indeed the t.ase. the weight ol the sea
son will rest on the shoulders of juniors fill Claliero
and jenna Carlson, senior Joni Wareham and
sophomore Niamh /.wagerman
"Those four have all had their best summers as
far as training goes,” Heinonen said. We will lie
relying heavily on them to carry us this season."
Hut a little help would be nice, and Heinonen
is confident the new blood he's brought in will fill
Oregon will try lo find a top runner to replace past
stars (from lett) Lucy Nusrala, Lit Wilson, Lisa
Kamopp and Nicole Woodward.
that need.
Freshman Milena Glusa< and sophomore
Melody Fain hiId are the most likely i anuldates to
make an instant impact on the team
l.lusac won the California state i hampionshtp
in both the l.ROO and the 3.20f) in high school ami
took sei mid at the national i mss i oiintrv meet
"Milena has been around the hire k. and i mil
peted against the best of them. Ileinonen said
"Them's no question she can step til right away for
us and contribute We just have to wait and see to
what capacity she's able to help us "
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