Oremus leads the way at Princeton Invitational
Senior Co-Captain Lindsey Oremus led the St. Joe’s women’s cross country team with a time of 22:19.9 at the 6k Princeton Invitational finishing 32 out of 222 runners on Oct. 12. Overall, the team logged a 12th place finish out of 22 teams.
“We went into it really confident as a team,” Oremus said. “I really enjoy that course. I was a little more reserved in the first mile than I usually am so that helped me finish the 6k strong.”
The rest of the team also put in a strong race with senior Co-Captain Elaine Estes finishing 63rd (22:52.8), senior Co-Captain Lucy Harmon finishing 95th (23:21.0), junior Emily Bracken finishing 96th (23:22.7), junior Emily Schaeffer finishing 99th (23:23.9), freshman Gabby Bamford finishing 114th (23:32.3) and senior Sara Rankin finishing 143rd (23:54.8).
“I think this is the first year I’ve been here where the whole team is really coming together,” Bracken said. “In the past we’ve been really separated as runners but this year we’re grouped together much more and it’s created a great team dynamic.”
Head Coach Melody O’Reilly attributes a lot of the team’s great chemistry to Oremus’ ability as a captain.
O’Reilly said she brings a sense of humor and nuttiness to every practice that elevates the team’s energy, but also knows when to reel it in and get serious.
“I think anyone on my team would say I’m very upbeat and very outgoing and constantly excited about things,” Oremus said. “I think that’s something I personally bring to the team. Even if I personally have a bad race, I try to keep a positive attitude. I believe if you set a good atmosphere yourself, everyone else follows and it leads to better races so that’s something I’ve really focused on this year.”
Oremus demonstrated this spirit when calling a runners-only meeting leading up to the Princeton Invitational.
“Before, the team never really had these meetings and everyone was like ‘what the heck,’” Bracken said. “But she pulled us in and after everyone was more confident and really connected and I think she’s created this great team vibe.”
As training partners, Bracken and Oremus have a special bond. Where Oremus is stronger in long distance and endurance, Bracken is more of a short distance speed runner and the duo force each other to improve in both areas.
“Emily was right with me for the first mile which was a big confidence booster and really got me going for the rest of the race,” Oremus said.
The team now heads into its championship season with the Atlantic 10 championship and the NCAA Regionals up next.
“We’re ready, we’re excited for next week,” Oremus said. “We’re looking at the top.”
