Sept. 28, 2002

COLLEGE PARK, Md, - A typical varsity freshman has a rough time adjusting to the competitiveness of sports at the collegiate level. But then again, Katie Purcell is no typical varsity freshman.

Purcell, a new member of the women's cross country team, has wasted no time racing to the front of the pack. In her very first collegiate race, she was the Terps' fastest finisher, winning third place and catapulting the team to a victory at the Covered Bridge Open in Boone, N.C. It was a significant win for the Terps, since the event marked the team's first away victory in two seasons.

At her next meet, Purcell showed that the first was indeed no fluke. She placed second out of 145 runners at the Navy Invitational, with the Terp squad finishing a very close second to Navy, beating 10 other teams. Her skills are extremely valuable this season, for after showing some improvement last year, this year's team is looking for nothing but excellence. Specifically, the squad will look to Purcell to help raise their standing at the ACC Championships in November. And though Purcell's remarkable performances may be astonishing to some, they come as no surprise to head coach Trent Sanderson.

"Katie showed a very strong commitment, even in the early stages of the season. She is young but extremely determined, and I knew she had what it takes to run at the ACC level," said Sanderson.

Her talent for running was not always so well-known. In fact, Purcell did not start running until she joined the club track team her sophomore year in high school. An avid basketball player at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Coraopolis, Pa., Purcell joined cross country to keep her in shape throughout the off-season. Fortunately, not only did running keep her in shape in high school, but it also helped shape a bright collegiate future in cross country. And ever since she first began running cross country, her strong work ethic has been propelling her to the finish line.

"Running is very hard work," said Purcell, "But I think it teaches you so many important values-like self-discipline, motivation, and focus. I also like the feeling of accomplishment I get from running."

Thanks to her dedication, Purcell enjoyed a very lucrative high school track career. She holds her high school's record in the 800 meter, 1600 meter, 3200 meter and shotput, and was part of school record-holding relay teams in the 4x100 meter, 4x400 meter and 4x800 meter races. However, the highlight of her time on the track team was winning the 3,200 meter race at the Pennsylvania State Championships in 2002.

Despite her seemingly natural talent for running, Purcell struggled to overcome adversity in the beginnings of her cross country career. During her junior year in high school, she competed in the district championships, and her team qualified for the state championships. Unfortunately, she did not perform her best at districts, and was told she would not be able to compete in the state meet. She felt devastated and could have quit running, but Purcell's perseverance prevailed. Instead, she turned around and tried out for track again that spring. Luckily for the Terps, her determination has paid off.

Helping her to overcome any setbacks over the years has been the support of her family.

"My parents' support has meant so much to me," said Purcell. "In high school my mom and dad were at every meet cheering me on and assuring me that they were proud no matter what. Even when the weather was awful, my dad would still be out there in his raincoat either taking pictures or videotaping."

Usually, athletes encounter a rough transition from high school athletics to collegiate level competition, often resulting in lackluster performances. But Purcell has adjusted almost automatically and seems to be thriving in her new environment. Aiding in her transition has been her teammates, and her roommate and fellow team member, Allison Carney.

Goals she has set for herself include breaking 18:00 in the 5,000 meter, placing in the top 10 in the ACC Championship and earning a spot in the NCAA Championships. Focusing on team performance, she also has high hopes for the Terps this year.

"This is only my first year, but I can already tell that this year's team has improved so much. Already we have surprised many teams who didn't expect us to do very well. I think this improvement will carry over throughout the year, and our team will turn people's heads," she said.

If impressive performances in the first two meets are any indication, both Purcell and the women's cross country team should see a lot of heads turn their way this year.