TSR Collaboration
Jan 1210 min
Written by Kevin Fischer & Gavin Struve
Additional edits & commentary via Garrett Zatlin & Gavin Struve
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Dealing with the departures of Mary Kate McGranahan and Sophia Wolmer has required a minor reset for Amherst. Following a 12th place finish at the cross country national meet in 2022, the Mammoths dropped to 18th place in 2023.
But the crop of young talent that arrived this fall will be determined to spark momentum into this program, not just on the grass, but on the track as well.
Zoë Marcus comes in with all of the credentials of a middle distance superstar. She has run 2:11 for 800 meters and 2:53 for 1000 meters, both marks coming at the New York state meets, highlighting early signs of potential to be a truly clutch performer.
Her 4:41 (1500), 10:34 (3k) and 18:54 (5k XC) personal bests suggest that she also has the ability to contribute to the team's cross country scoring after getting another few years of aerobic development under her belt.
But in reality, that doesn't really matter. If Marcus ends up being nothing but a pure half-miler, then Amherst likely won't mind. A 2:11 mark for 800 meters is ridiculously impressive. That would even catch the attention of our D1 writers when making their top-10 lists.
If she can hold her on at the national stage, then it's more than realistic to think that Marcus could be an All-American as soon as this March. She's simply that good and her 1k PR is further validation of that.
The other five members of this class are pretty impressive, too -- every one of them has run sub-5:20 over 1600 meters and sub-11:40 over 3200 meters.
Thea Crowley holds personal bests of 2:28 (800), 5:12 (1600) and 10:47 (3200). Those three times alone show a lot of dynamism, but in case it wasn't already obvious, Crowley's greatest strengths lie in the longer distances.
When all is said and done, don't be surprised if she develops into a 10k/5k standout. There's a clear trend with her improving as the racing distances rise. And with a 10:47 (3200) PR, you're looking at someone who would be considered as an impact addition in a large handful of Division One programs.
With two just rookies -- Marcus and Crowley -- the Mammoths have addressed nearly every aspect of their roster with two projected high-octane scorers.
However, Nikki Chopra isn't too far behind, having run 2:26 (800), 5:12 (1600) and 11:00 (3200). She should make for an ideal training partner for Crowley as she figures to lean towards the endurance-based events, but has some middle distance potential as well.
Emma Vatnsdal and Kiera Hodum are names who might fall under the radar in a loaded class like this one, if only because it's hard to decide which event they're best in. But that doesn't mean they don't provide a ton of talent and value as well. Both of these women are 2:20 (800) runners with solid range.
Vatnsdal has also run 5:15 over 1600 meters, 11:38 over 3200 meters and 18:50 in a cross country 5k. Meanwhile, Hodum has completed those these distances in as fast as 5:13, 11:25 and 19:41, respectively.
Together, this supporting duo should infuse some complementary middle distance prowess into this freshman class alongside Marcus. Running 2:20 for the half-mile distance is a time that make both Vatnsdal and Hodum impact names in a top-ranked D2 class.
Last but certainly not least is Daphne Witherell.
Judging solely from her high school marks, you wouldn't expect Witherell to be the only freshman to make Amherst’s regional and national meet lineups this past fall. That's not to say that her 2:27 (800), 5:19 (1600), 11:22 (3200) and 18:38 (5k XC) personal bests at the high school level weren't impressive, but they were perhaps overshadowed by a few of her classmates.
This past fall, however, she had a sensational start to her collegiate cross country career, finishing 17th at the NESCAC XC Championships, 32nd at the Mideast regional meet and 174th at the cross country national meet.
Having a superstar freshmen or two is great, and this class certainly isn't lacking in that department. But depth is just as important in recruiting -- immediate impact is no guarantee.
The Mammoths didn't bring in the largest class, but the quality of the recruits who they landed bring tremendous value across the board. Introducing six women who have all shown the potential to be major contributors is huge, because even if only half of them fully reach their projected potential, that would still be three key pieces on a team striving to reach the next level on the national stage.
2. Tufts Jumbos
In terms of depth, this Tufts' women’s freshman class is largely unrivaled.
The Boston-based program brought in 10 freshmen this academic year and each addition has at least one clear focal strength that should help them make some sort of an impact at the Division Three level.
Two women who have run 2:17 over 800 meters are the headliners of this group which has a case as the best D3 half-mile rookie class in the nation.
Let’s start with Sonia Olson who was one of the premier Division Three recruits this year with fantastic marks of 2:17 (800) and 5:00 (1600). She cut her teeth in one of the better states in terms of middle distance talent (New Jersey) and has a sub-19:00 (5k) mark on the grass to her name as well.
While the half-mile distance certainly figures to be her most natural event and the one that she can find early success in, Olson could realistically develop into a three-season star for this program. And if she doesn't, then that may not matter. Her potential to be an All-American over 800 meters is evident.
The other woman who has run 2:17 is Swiss talent (by way of IMG Academy), Eugenie Horisberger. She had a strong indoor track season a year ago with a bronze medal at the Florida Indoor Championships and an appearance at New Balance Indoor Nationals.
Not only has Horisberger run a national-caliber time during her prep days, but as we just detailed, she also has extensive championship experience (and success). Those meets should prove to be valuable experience builders, each hosting talent that may be similar to some of the women who Horisberger will be racing over the next few years.
One 2:17 (800) woman is already a great addition for a freshman class, let alone two among 10 recruits. This duo should make for ideal training partners and potentially push each other to become one of the more feared 1-2 punches in the D3 middle distances over the next few years.
We then come to Katya Henisz who appears to have some of the better range in this group, as can be attested to by a 5:09 (1600) PR and an 18:58 mark over 5000 meters on the grass.
The Pennsylvania product, who finished 3rd in the “Open” section at the 2022 NXR Northeast meet, figures to make one of the earlier impacts in the class. In fact, she already got some experience racing on the grass this past fall, highlighted by a 10th place finish in the "White" race at the Connecticut College Invite.
However, aside from her cross country endeavors, it's Henisz's mile potential that should be exciting. Yes, her 5:09 (1600) PR is plenty strong, but when you pair her at her peak collegiate form with half-mile standouts like Horisberger and Olson, you likely get a lethal DMR lineup.
Kaya West leans more toward the half-mile -- where she’s run as fast as 2:21 -- and is a strong addition to the Jumbos’ middle distance contingent who can also move up in distance during the fall months.
Much of the attention will be on Olson and Horisberger as the Jumbos' premier half-mile talents. However, it's West who has the makings of a strong long-term piece who should be competing in postseason meets a few years from now.
And how about Reina Hill? She was a top-15 finisher at the Illinois 2A cross country state meet during her junior year. Hill has also run 2:24 (800) and 5:16 (1600), hinting at some promising versatility.
For a Tufts program that is become a bit more dynamic (overall) with this freshman class, Hill should be able to fit in well with the numerous skillsets scattered throughout this roster.
But it’s Deirdre Flanagan who may hold the most dynamism in this rookie class. The Connecticut native has run 5:17 (mile) and 11:17 (3200) in addition to finishing 15th in the 2k steeplechase at New Balance Outdoor Nationals!
She can also hold her own in the half-mile or on the cross country course, if needed. While this freshman class wasn't necessarily struggling with too much overlap, Flanagan injects some event diversity with her range and steeplechase ability, the latter of which is largely absent among other D3 first-year groups.
Sophia Carpenter, Samantha Mayer, Taylor Neldner and Ailish Ward (the latter of whom holds the fastest cross country 5k mark in this class at 18:37 and has ample postseason experience) figure to add to the distance ethos of this squad. That's a bigger deal than some may realize as the Jumbos failed to reach the NCAA D3 XC Championships a few months ago, but now have all the ammunition to do so for the next few years.
But in the grand scheme of things, Tufts should be even better on the track where they seemingly have the gamut of distance events covered for the near future if this talented class gets developed adequately.
1. Washington U. Bears
The women of Washington U. have built a distance program that's been a fixture of the Division Three scene for years. Naturally, elite freshman classes like this year's group are a huge factor in what keeps the Bears performing at such a high level.
Vivienne Larson is the most recognizable name in this class, but not just because of her high school personal bests of 5:11 over 1600 meters, 11:03 over 3200 meters and 18:27 for 5000 meters on the grass -- although those are all very impressive.
Larson stands out because she has already hit the ground running at the collegiate level, with finishes of 16th place at both the UAA XC Championships and the Midwest Regional XC Championships, and ultimately a fantastic 79th place effort at the cross country national meet.
The way that Larson attacked her first collegiate season makes us bullish about how she'll fare in the first-half of 2024 on the oval. If she was able to do that in her first-ever season, what can she do in year two? Or when she's a senior? The upside, which is seemingly limitless, is what makes her such a massive recruiting win.
Of course, there are several other members of this freshman class who could also be described as budding stars.
Caroline Echols is a true middle distance ace who has run outstanding marks of 57.80 (400), 2:12 (800) and 2:56 (1k). She has also held her own when going up in distance as she is a 5:07 miler and has run 18:47 over 5000 meters on the grass.
It's rare that you can find someone who profiles as a potential future All-American in the shorter distance events on the track AND as a scorer for a top distance program on the grass. While fellow rookie Vivienne Larson may end up being a better cross country talent, it's Echols who may project to hold greater three-season value.
And through just two names, you can already begin to see why the Bears are listed at TSR #1 in our freshman class rankings.
Keira Rall is another name who we will likely be talking about for the next few years. The most impressive results to her name have come over 1600 meters (5:04) and the 800 meters (2:17). She also has experience with some longer races, running 11:28 over 3200 meters and 18:50 for 5000 meters in cross country.
In many ways, Rall has a similar portfolio to Echols as a middle distance runner first and a cross country piece second. The fact that she can do both is a major boon for the Bears who have collected a contingent of early impact first-year talents who can provide value among three seasons.
Most D3 programs are lucky if they just get one of those...
In addition to those three upper-echelon names with considerable firepower, the Bears also bring in a highly talented and deep supporting cast of classmates.
Kira Larner arrives in St. Louis having run 5:11 over 1600 meters and 11:25 over 3200 meters. Meanwhile, Avery Nason has similar caliber marks to her name, with personal bests of 4:53 over 1500 meters and 10:36 for 3000 meters.
Nason also has a nice pedigree on the grass with a personal best of 18:30 (5k XC) along with a 6th place finish at the Oregon 5A XC State Championships in the fall of 2021. She was also 33rd at the 2021 NXR Northwest Championships, a subtly great result for most D3 recruits.
While certain women like Rall and Echols pose as middle distance-centric runners, it's Nason who is seemingly a pure long distance talent. And for a team that was led by two more veteran women this past fall, the long-term value that she could bring on the grass is huge.
Lily Dipple and Isabel Erdmann add some further depth to the already-elite middle distance program at Washington U. They hold personal bests of 2:20 and 2:21, respectively, over 800 meters. Dipple has also run 5:19 over 1600 meters and 19:13 for 5000 meters on the grass, displaying some solid range that can continue to be developed over the next few years.
And again, if these rookies were in any other D3 distance program, they would be the focal centerpieces of their respective freshman classes.
Rounding out this year’s top women's freshman class in Division Three is Amelie Maltz, someone who has run 5:18 for 1600 meters and 18:27 over 5000 meters on the grass.
It's tempting to take cross country times with a grain of salt due to the variability of courses, competition and conditions. Even so, that 5k effort is an impressive mark regardless of where it was run. And when you consider that Maltz has two top-10 finishes at California Division V XC State Championships, it's clear that she has validated her fitness.
Frankly, she may have the potential to be just as good as Larson on the cross country course over the next few years. And if that's the case, then the Bears could very easily return to the podium during the fall months.
Of the eight women in the Bears’ freshman class, four of them have run 2:21 or faster over 800 meters, seven have run under 5:20 for 1600 meters (or under 4:57 over 1500 meters), four have run under 11:30 for 3200 meters (or under 10:40 for the 3k) and five have broken 19 minutes for 5000 meters during cross country.
To state the obvious: There's no weak link here. Everyone who we just highlighted should be able to contribute to this program over the next couple of years. And even right now, the Bears have a few elite recruits who could (or already did) make an instant impact as true freshmen.
Overall, that's pretty tough for any other D3 program in the country to compete with in terms of depth, raw talent and versatility. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why Washington U. earned our TSR #1 spot in our freshman class rankings.
U. of Chicago Maroons
Emory Eagles
UW-La Crosse Eagles
NYU Violets
MIT Engineers
Johns Hopkins Blue Jays
Middlebury Panthers
Carnegie Mellon Tartans
Vassar Brewers
SUNY Geneseo Knights
Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens