cEhr lailg cTar linl Aussie Talent Boosts Tar Heel Depth By Lauren Ritter Staff Writer You can call her a Kiwi. Or you can call her “Loora” if you want to; her roommate does. But never, ever call her Australian. That’s the one thing that can get on North Carolina field hockey midfielder Laura Douglas’ nerves. She’s from New Zealand, an entirely different country. “To say she’s from Australia is a huge insult,” said Carey Fetting-Smith, Douglas’ roommate who also plays on the field hockey team. “She’s really proud of her country, and it being dif ferent from Australia. Lots of people IJNC Runners Face Different Roads By Chris Gilfillan Staff Writer While the North Carolina women’s cross country team is returning its star, the men will be busy searching for a leader this year. UNC standout Shalane Flanagan, the returning two-time Southeastern and ACC champion, led the women’s cross country team to a seventh place finish in the NCAA’s last season. Over the past two seasons the junior was the team’s young star -as a fresh man she finished fourth in the nation. Now, one of the oldest on the team, she carries the authority that comes with PB©i)rJ Key Returnees: Shalane Flanagan (women), Brian McGovern (men) Key Losses: Kim Timberlake (women), Matt Weiss (men) Top Newcomers: Jessica Perry (women), Rob Robertson (men). Last Season: 2nd in ACC; 7th NCAA (women); Bth in ACC (men) Date Time Opponent location Aug.3l 10am. Campbell Invite BuiesCreek Sept 14 10 am. UNC Challenge Chapel Hill Sept 27 7pm Great American Invite Charlotte Oct. 12 10:15 am East Carolina Irrvite Greenviie Oct 19 11am. 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Sometimes it drives her crazy.” The sophomore is the first New Zealander to ever play field hockey for UNC, but she hasn’t had any trouble fit ting in on the field. Even while battling a severely bruised knee, she has surpassed Tar Heel coach Karen Shelton’s initial expectations. “She’s really playing well,” Shelton said. “We needed someone strong to step in at midfield, and she’s stronger than what I expected, even with her injury.” Last year, Douglas competed with a tom ACL and did not fulfill her poten tial. After the season ended, she had surgery to fix the problem. age. “I feel like I can help a lot of people on the team because I do have a lot of experience in running,” Flanagan said. Flanagan finished 19th in nationals last year and was named NCAA Cross- Country Player of the Year. “I had a lot of pressure on me last year during the NCAA and didn’t run well,” Flanagan said. “This year I will be upset if I don’t finish in the top-five.” Flanagan is followed by three other runners, namely sophomores Carol Henry and Erin Donohue. The two sophomores finished 31st and 48th in the 2001 NCAA final. Also looking to jump into the mix is “Last semester was hard -1 was quite miserable,” Douglas said. “I’m haring a lot more fun playing this year. They never saw me play before I got here, and it was tough playing with an injury that way. “I feel really good about this year’s team. We’re more of a team instead of individuals, and I think we’ll go really well this year.” The team is looking forward to its rematch with Michigan, the team that knocked top-ranked UNC out of last year’s NCAA tournament in the first round. The teams face off at Henry Stadium at noon Saturday. “We have a huge mentality of ‘it’s going to be payback time’ this year,” senior Liz Awtrey, who finished 153rd. “With three of our top four mnners being young last year, the team has been able to get used to how the things will work,” said Mike Whittlesey, head coach for both teams. For the past two years the team has finished second in the conference to rival N.C. State. This year UNC looks to break the streak. “This year the conference is one of the strongest in the nation,” Whitdesey said. “With this, we’re going to be seasoned when we go into the national race.” However, the leading role on the men’s team is open for auditions. The recruits could step up and make an early impact. “We have a freshman class that has a lot of talent and a lot of hard work,” said Brian McGovern, the Tar Heels’ top returner. “On any given day there is going to be a freshman able to try to get a spot on the varsity squad.” McGovern, who finished 46th in the ACC last year, is also joined this year by a handful of strong sophomore runners. /7£