W. Track to take on 'rival' Cornell

A healthier Penn women's track team hopes to prove to its Ivy League opponents that it is ready to compete, when the Quakers travel to Ithaca, N.Y., to do battle with host Cornell in a dual meet.

Still adjusting to the absence of recently retired head coach Betty Costanza, Penn is looking to improve on their recent performances.

But the Quakers' realistic expectations for this weekend's meet reflect the fact that the Big Red will have the advantages not only of competing on their home track, but of being able to field a full team.

Penn, on the other hand, is limited by the number of team members it can travel and will not be able to field a full roster against Cornell.

"We're going with 37 young women, and they [Cornell] will have everybody at their disposal," Penn coach Tony Tenisci said.

The Quakers hope to compensate for their disadvantage in team size through team unity.

"We have a really small team, but I think that's actually a strength," Penn senior captain Jeraldine Cofie said. "We work really well as a team. We're a lot closer."

While the Quakers will look to improve across the board this weekend, they realize that some events will be more significant than others.

"They have some really good 400 and 800 runners, and we'll be focusing on them this weekend," junior sprinter Crystal Marsh said.

Besides looking to improve on current times and heights, the Quakers will also experiment a bit with their lineup. Cofie will compete in the 800, although she normally runs the 500.

"I hope to do well in the 800. I haven't done it in a little while," Cofie said.

Although Cornell targets the Quakers as its chief rival, Penn views this weekend's matchup as they would any other Ivy League meet.

"Cornell doesn't have a natural rival because it's out in the middle of nowhere," Tenisci said. "They really like to go after Penn."

While Penn prepares for Cornell, it also knows that it must keep its eye on the team's larger goal -- achieving success at the Indoor Heptagonal Championships in February.

"We want to be at our peak at the end of February, not now," Tenisci said. "Before reaching the goal of peaking for the conference, you'll have your ups and downs. It happens to everyone."

Yet, Penn will not let its hopes for success at the Indoor Heptagonal Championships remove its focus from the meet with the Big Red.

"I do know our main goal is to beat Cornell," Cofie said.

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