By Tim Healey, The Boston Globe
BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- This fall could be one of redemption for Danielle Poto, senior captain of the women’s cross-country team at Bridgewater State University.
The North Andover High graduate impressed in her first two collegiate seasons, with all-conference honors as a freshman and sophomore after impressive showings at the MASCAC Championships — seventh place (19:36.63) in 2012, second place (19:34.05) in 2013.
But 2014 — as a result of overtraining, she says — was a step backward. She finished 14th in the conference meet, with a time of 21:19.03.
And so here she is now, a senior and cocaptain along with fellow North Andover resident Theresa Connolly (Central Catholic), with one last shot at cross-country glory. (She also runs indoor and outdoor track for the Bears.)
Poto got off to a good start earlier this month, finishing fifth in a field of 109 with a clocking of 19:33.19 at the Roger Williams Invitational. She was the MASCAC’s Runner of the Week.
A continued return to form from Poto would be a boon for a Bridgewater State squad picked to finish second in preseason MASCAC coaches’ poll.
Q. Were you dealing with an injury last year?
A. It wasn’t injury. It was a down year. I did so well sophomore year, I think I overtrained, then I got burned out. I was defeated. I got over it and got in a better state of mind.
Q. How would you describe your state of mind now?
A. Positive, confident, and just actually enjoying everything.
Q. How does the relative down year motivate you for your final cross-country season?
A. I talked about it with my friends and my coach, and that helped. It motivated me to give it my all because it’s the last chance I have. It really hit me this year after seeing my older friends graduate. I just want to go out there and give my best.
Q. How did it feel to have a strong performance at Roger Williams to get the season started?
A. It was a shock. I didn’t know what kind of shape I was in, because with summer training you never know. It was a great start. I want to keep doing better. I went out there being confident. That was my [personal record] on that course [at Colt State Park]. As opposed to last year, my worst time was about 21:59. It was a 2½-minute PR from last year on that course.
Q. What is it like to have someone like Theresa Connolly on your team, who is your age and from your town?
A. I like it, because a lot of people down here aren’t from my [area]; they’re from the South Shore. So it makes me feel familiar with someone — even though I know everyone now, but just to bring back the old days sometimes.
Q. What’s your favorite meal in the hours before a race?
A. I always have a Cliff Bar. I like Cliff Bars — everyone knows that, I have to have a Cliff Bar. That’s what I do. I’ve been doing it since high school. They’re not too heavy.
Q. What do you hope to do with your Spanish major?
A. I’m also [studying] education, so I want to be a teacher, but if not I can be a tutor. I want to hopefully be a high school teacher for Spanish.
Q. Did you play any other sports in high school?
A. I did volleyball my freshman year, but then I quit for cross-country. Once you get in, you can’t get out. But I like it.
Q. What’s your favorite class?
A. I’m liking my nutrition class. I’m learning a lot. It’s been helpful, especially for athletes — what to eat and what foods give you energy and what long-distance runners need. I didn’t know all of that stuff. I’m trying to [apply that to the training].