The Janes are looking to enter into their 7th year as a team into the ever competitive fall racing time of year. This is when the team is at its best racing as a consolidated team with the goal of running fast at the USATF Club Nationals held this year in Kentucky in December. Going into the season, the team will return from our top group, Erika Aklufi, Tania Fischer, Cambria D’Amico, Adrienne Schumm, Ally Estes and Jenna Dee. Sissel Berntsen-Heber, Kirsten Leetch, Kelle Taylor, Liz Buckley-Wheeler and Amanda Rondash will look to fill in as needed in the masters or open divisions as needed running mostly in the open division and being called up to run masters or open at Nationals as needed. The great things about these ladies is that they can add to the depth of the open squad and push out some of the younger ladies as the season progresses if not immediately. Sissel had an injury back in the spring that she was dealing with but is back in form training stronger than ever and ready for the rigors of racing. Janicka Umile is looking to make a comeback to cross country after giving birth to her third child six months ago. She will also be able to help out either the open team or the masters team as needed along the way. The Janes welcome her back to the starting line!
As usual, the Janes will start the season with a road race and then face their first test over a cross country course and against college runners at the UC Riverside Invitational on September 19. The team then looks forward to the Cal Poly SLO Invitational with a road trip – always a good trip – and then one of a few road races of the season, a Nike road race at the end of October.
November is a time of championships – the So Cal XC Championships, as well as the Pacific Association/Western Regional XC Championships. Then onto Club Nationals where it all culminates. In between all of the races mentioned, there will be a few instances where a Jane will race some other race that might fit her schedule and a few of the masters ladies might head out to Syracuse, NY for the USATF 5k Road Championships in early October.
All in all, the Janes look forward to a great season with a healthy team and great results!
