Lehigh University Athletics
Focusing on today a theme for Mountain Hawks this preseason
8/24/2018 2:58:00 PM | Women's Cross Country
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh women's cross country team enters the 2018 season with high aspirations after finishing second and fourth in the last two Patriot League Championships. About a week into preseason, the veteran Mountain Hawks are hard at work focusing on today, knowing that success in the present should translate to the future. By focusing on today, Lehigh will put itself in as strong a position possible to compete for a Patriot League Championship come October.
Â
"In past years, our goal has been focused on Patriots," said senior Stephanie Hayes. "We often focused too hard, too early and were a little too excited about it. We're coming in with a more day-by-day energy, which has definitely been helping."
Â
The Mountain Hawks' preseason has featured a wide variety of activities as they look to improve not only individually, but also as a collective unit. Leading the way is a strong core of senior leaders. Reigning second Team All-Patriot League honoree Maura Henderson, along with Stacie Nadel are the team's captains, but the captains' voting unveiled a unique dynamic with the 2018 Mountain Hawks.
Â
"When we went through our voting process, we had six women who actually got votes, which really shows a lot of strong leadership skills in our upperclassmen," said head coach Debbie Utesch. "We're encouraging all of them to continue refining those leadership skills, jump in and help out without feeling like they're stepping on anybody's toes.
Â
"We have a great senior class that's really able to share some of that responsibility (beyond just the captains) and the women who comprise our other classes have really matured and grown up as well," Utesch continued. "You can see them starting to take on different roles."
Â
The ultimate goal of preseason is to keep building the foundation. That foundation for the 2018 season began taking shape in the summer, and even previous years, but the preseason is an important time to continue building and fine-tuning.
Â
"We're looking to refine those little support pieces," said Utesch. "Another goal is an assessment piece, so I can see what kind of fitness we're bringing in from summer training. We're also looking to help the freshmen fold into the program and start to understand our team dynamic, what their role is and how they can be part of Lehigh cross country."
Â
Those support pieces include much more than just running.
Â
"We've had a biomechanical session, working on everything from how you hold your toe to how you hold your head on your shoulders," said Utesch. "Correct positioning for being an efficient runner. We've worked on our strength training, getting the freshmen in and really making sure they're technically sound in the weight room. Another big push has been a flexibility program through an introductory yoga session, which is something we continue in the fall semester. We also had a Meridian Stretching session as well, which is a flexibility program that we use."
Â
Even though cross country may "look" like an individual sport, it is not. Team is vitally important and this preseason, the Mountain Hawks are coming together nicely.
Â
"Something specific about this year is a strong team dynamic across all classes," said Hayes. "We've been working together really well. Everyone has been able to share their opinions about different things.
Â
"We try hard to sit with the freshmen at dinners and hang out with them," Hayes continued. "So far, they've acclimated really well. Preseason freshman year is always the hardest year. We've all been through it, we all understand it and being there for them is the most important thing the upperclassmen can do."
Â
The Mountain Hawks know developing a strong chemistry now should pay dividends come October. The Patriot League Championships may remain at the back of their minds, but being their best today is at the forefront.
Â
"'We have the end goal in mind, but we're focusing more on what we're trying to accomplish each day," said Utesch. "One step at a time, breaking things down into simpler accomplishments as we go through the process."
Â
Follow Lehigh Cross Country/Track and Field on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
Â
Â
"In past years, our goal has been focused on Patriots," said senior Stephanie Hayes. "We often focused too hard, too early and were a little too excited about it. We're coming in with a more day-by-day energy, which has definitely been helping."
Â
The Mountain Hawks' preseason has featured a wide variety of activities as they look to improve not only individually, but also as a collective unit. Leading the way is a strong core of senior leaders. Reigning second Team All-Patriot League honoree Maura Henderson, along with Stacie Nadel are the team's captains, but the captains' voting unveiled a unique dynamic with the 2018 Mountain Hawks.
Â
"When we went through our voting process, we had six women who actually got votes, which really shows a lot of strong leadership skills in our upperclassmen," said head coach Debbie Utesch. "We're encouraging all of them to continue refining those leadership skills, jump in and help out without feeling like they're stepping on anybody's toes.
Â
"We have a great senior class that's really able to share some of that responsibility (beyond just the captains) and the women who comprise our other classes have really matured and grown up as well," Utesch continued. "You can see them starting to take on different roles."
Â
The ultimate goal of preseason is to keep building the foundation. That foundation for the 2018 season began taking shape in the summer, and even previous years, but the preseason is an important time to continue building and fine-tuning.
Â
"We're looking to refine those little support pieces," said Utesch. "Another goal is an assessment piece, so I can see what kind of fitness we're bringing in from summer training. We're also looking to help the freshmen fold into the program and start to understand our team dynamic, what their role is and how they can be part of Lehigh cross country."
Â
Those support pieces include much more than just running.
Â
"We've had a biomechanical session, working on everything from how you hold your toe to how you hold your head on your shoulders," said Utesch. "Correct positioning for being an efficient runner. We've worked on our strength training, getting the freshmen in and really making sure they're technically sound in the weight room. Another big push has been a flexibility program through an introductory yoga session, which is something we continue in the fall semester. We also had a Meridian Stretching session as well, which is a flexibility program that we use."
Â
Even though cross country may "look" like an individual sport, it is not. Team is vitally important and this preseason, the Mountain Hawks are coming together nicely.
Â
"Something specific about this year is a strong team dynamic across all classes," said Hayes. "We've been working together really well. Everyone has been able to share their opinions about different things.
Â
"We try hard to sit with the freshmen at dinners and hang out with them," Hayes continued. "So far, they've acclimated really well. Preseason freshman year is always the hardest year. We've all been through it, we all understand it and being there for them is the most important thing the upperclassmen can do."
Â
The Mountain Hawks know developing a strong chemistry now should pay dividends come October. The Patriot League Championships may remain at the back of their minds, but being their best today is at the forefront.
Â
"'We have the end goal in mind, but we're focusing more on what we're trying to accomplish each day," said Utesch. "One step at a time, breaking things down into simpler accomplishments as we go through the process."
Â
Follow Lehigh Cross Country/Track and Field on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
Â
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
MHT EP5 - Women's Cross Country
Thursday, November 13
Lehigh Sports Central: Women's Cross Country
Wednesday, October 15
2025 Lehigh Women's Cross Country Season Preview
Thursday, August 28
Lehigh Sports Central: Women's Cross Country
Wednesday, October 09
