There’s no one who would doubt that senior Andrea Walkonen has been the heart and soul of the Boston University women’s cross country team. So it was only fitting she paced the Terriers in the America East Championships on Saturday.
Having won the individual 5-kilometer race, Walkonen led the women’s team to a second-place finish of nine schools in the competition. The men’s team placed third in the 8k, with senior Nick Goodman placing sixth (26:20.5).
The men’s race was dominated by Stony Brook University sophomore Alex Felce (25:32), but the University of New Hampshire took first place on the back of senior Robert Edgerton’s second-place effort (25:37.4). After UNH, Stony Brook finished second, followed by BU, the University of Maine and the University of Maryland-Baltimore County.
After Goodman, sophomore Eric Ashe placed 13th (26:39.2) and senior David Proctor placed 18th (26:48.2).
As the team anticipates a competitive setting at the conference championships, BU is more than capable of making a good showing.
BU coach Bruce Lehane said the Terriers have a lot of drive and motivation, and must set goals to improve as individuals.
“[The team] is motivated by nature,” Lehane said. “I can give them a motivating speech one day, but it’s not just me. They get stronger and get motivated by running day by day.”
“It’s a very unique sport,” Goodman said, “and it’s a mental battle. There are so many times when you get signs from your body to stop running. The sport is kind of counterintuitive. If your body tells you to stop, you shouldn’t be doing it, but I still do it.”
The men’s team was understandably upset with finishing behind UNH and Stony Brook.
“Our goal was to bring home the team title,” Goodman said, “but we were disappointed. We had a big chance of getting the title, but it was an off day. The race was a stepping stone for the season and we’ll just have to try harder.”
Looking ahead, Walkonen is expected to run as an individual entrant in the NCAA Regionals on Nov. 10. The dedication of Walkonen will never be questioned. Each day leading up to a meet, the team leader’s focus falls squarely on leading her squad.
“Cross country is all about team effort,” Walkonen said. “What gets you through the day is team support. It’s so physically demanding and I love my team.”
For someone who places such an emphasis on the team, having the spotlight on her is a new feeling for Walkonen.
“It’s stressful that everybody expects me to compete as an individual in the NCAA,” Walkonen said, “but it also makes me feel really good. Their expectations give me the confidence to run.”
