Needham leading the way for Wheelock Cross Country in First Season of Program

BOSTON, Mass. - When Kate Needham joined the brand new Wheelock Cross Country team in August, she was thinking less about competition and more about recreation. The North Conway native is involved in a number of activities at Wheelock, as a resident assistant, vice president of the social science honor society, and a member of the Wildcats Leadership program. Given her busy schedule, cross country seemed like a great way to relieve stress.

"I have a tendency to burden myself with a lot of activities and stress myself over academics, so running has become a stress reliever," said Needham. "I never expected to be our top runner."

Two months, countless miles, and six races later, the junior human development major has become exactly that; not only the top runner for her team, but one of the best in the conference. Needham is the owner of six first place finishes for the Wildcats, including a top ten performance at the New England Collegiate Conference championships in October. Her efforts were rewarded at the end of the season with a spot on the NECC all-conference team.

For head coach Bryan Mahoney, Needham's presence, both on and off the course, was everything he could have hoped for in getting the Wheelock cross country team off the ground in its inaugural season.

"Kate's personality was a key aspect of the team and I noticed that almost immediately," said Mahoney. "She's always smiling. The effect it had on the team was pretty unbelievable. It kept everyone light and they loved her for it."

Needham's time of 24:03 for the 5K championship course wasn't her fastest on the year, but marked an improvement of a minute and a half from her very first race; a sign that with a full year of training under her belt, the captain could be a force to reckon with when she returns for her senior year.

Mahoney didn't even have Needham on his roster until the day before pre-season, when she sent an email to the coach explaining that she was involved in a lot of activities, but that she wanted to run cross country.

"To think now, just two months later, she not only was voted our team captain, but was our leader both on and off the field is pretty amazing," said Mahoney. "To become one of the best runners in the conference in such a short time is certainly a testament to the person that she is."

Needham's fastest time came at the Pop Crowell Invitational in Wenham, Massachusetts, when she eclipsed the 24 minute mark for the second time this season, crossing the finish line in 23:54 and finishing in the top half of the 25 team competition.

Given the strides she made over the course of the season and the times she was turning in, Mahoney knew Needham had a chance to break the top ten at the conference championship, but debated for a time about whether or not to tell her. Finally, during a training run, the first year coach decided she could handle the pressure.

"I told her I felt she had a really good shot at it but that she would have to win her battles that day," said Mahoney. "She and I had discussed race strategies throughout the season, especially pertaining to the first mile of a race, and she had taken to the idea of letting the race develop around her for the opening mile and then focusing on positioning for the middle part of the race."

On race day Needham executed the strategy perfectly, coming through the first mile among the top ten and putting herself in a position to maintain that spot throughout the rest of the race.

"I emphasized the idea of "consistency" throughout the season and her performance that day truly exemplified her understanding of that concept," said Mahoney. "For someone so new to cross country running, her ability to remain relaxed and focused in such a situation was really impressive."

 Story Courtesy of Wheelock Sports Information Department