On Saturday, Oct. 14, the Rowan women’s cross-country team participated in their first home meet of the season at the eighth annual Border Battle at DREAM Park in Logan Township, New Jersey. The team put forth a respectable performance in their first meet without long-time Head Coach Derek “Ringo” Adamson, finishing third overall in the 6k championship race.

Leading the way for the Profs was junior Anna Sasse, who finished ninth overall in the 6k championship race with a time of 22:15.5. The top-ten finish continues her amazing season, as Sasse has been at or near the top in almost every meet for Rowan in 2023. 

“I had a goal in my mind of 22:30 and that sounded like a reach,” Sasse said. “When I came in and saw the clock at 22:15 I felt really good and fit. The fitness was always there, it just had to be brought out.”

Another standout performance was from freshman Emily Zanni, who finished first overall in the 6k open and led the Profs to first overall in that race. Zanni is still working her way back from an injury suffered earlier in the season, as this was only the second race she’s participated in this season. 

“That race felt really good,” Zanni said. “I am coming off of an injury, and I only have a month of training in right now. I’m just happy to be back racing, let alone winning.”

Head Coach Eric Dubois is feeling overjoyed, as his first meet at the helm was a massive success.

“It feels awesome,” Dubois said. “It was a great day to be a Prof. We beat regionally ranked Weidner, Moravian, and Stockton. Just about everyone PR’d and this is a great point in the season for us to get hot.”

Coach Dubois is beginning to feel more comfortable as the days go by, and a main factor in that is his runners making it easy for him. 

“The women have been working hard for so long,” Dubois said. “Now I just have a better pulse of where they are and where they are headed. We’re ready to go.”

With the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championships up next on the schedule, Sasse is feeling optimistic about herself and the team as we enter the most important stretch of the season.

“I know it’s possible to come in first at NJACs,” Sasse said. “It’s going to take the mental strength to win, but I’m ready to do that.”

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