Vanguard awaits command decision

Barry Faulkner

The ability of the Vanguard University women’s cross country team to

join the upper class of the Golden State Athletic Conference may be

compromised by a “Hall pass” this fall.

Senior Sarah Hall, with only one semester of collegiate

eligibility remaining, must decide whether to spend it on the

upcoming cross country campaign or save it for the track and field

season in the spring.

Lions Coach Bryan Wilkins said Thursday it was a 50-50 proposition

and that he would support her choice, either way. Wilkins, however,

admitted Hall’s absence would be a severe blow to a program trying to

improve upon last year’s seventh-place finish in the GSAC.

“If Sarah doesn’t run, that will hurt,” said Wilkins, who, with

Hall on board, would welcome the top five runners back from last

year’s squad.

“I think we have potential to be stronger than last year, with our

top five women back and the couple of newcomers we’ve added to the

mix,” said Wilkins, entering his 16th season at the helm.

Hall earned NAIA All-American honors in track and field last

spring, when she rewrote the school distance record book. She had a

team-best time of 18:46 in the 5K last fall.

“Sarah had a phenomenal track season last year and she could do

some pretty incredible things [in track next spring],” Wilkins said.

“I also think she has been battling a little fatigue over the summer

and she’s still not 100% sold on whether or not she should run [this

fall].

“She’ll decide by the [season-opening Cal State Fullerton

Invitational, scheduled Aug. 30],” he said.

If Hall doesn’t compete, it will increase the load carried by

junior returners Jenny Thune and Luz Huipe.

“Sarah was fourth last year at regionals, Jenny was 21st and Liz

was 23rd,” Wilkins said. “I think all three have an excellent shot at

being all-region [in the top 10 at regionals] if they put it

together. They all have the talent.”

Thune’s best 5K time last season was 18:50, while Huipe, a product

of Estancia High and Orange Coast College, clocked a season-best

19:30 last fall.

Junior Bridget Lonsdale, the No. 4 runner last season (with a

season-best 21:18), could be a big surprise this year, Wilkins said.

“I think she is going to improve tremendously,” Wilkins said. “She

was quite a ways behind the top three last year, but I think she’s

going to close the gap.”

Sophomore Carrie McIntyre was the No. 5 runner last season, when

she posted a 5K best of 22:26.

Wilkins believes newcomers Crystol McDonald, a junior transfer

from Los Angeles Southwestern Community College, and Jennifer Saxton,

a freshman out of Maranatha High in San Dimas, could help the Lions

crack the top five in the conference.

Emily Westa, a freshman out of Edison High, rounds out the roster.