HAVERFORD, Pa. - Finishing in the top three in each of the last 10 seasons, Haverford College women's cross country team has been a model of consistency in the competitive Centennial Conference. The Fords, under the direction of head coach Fran Rizzo, look to continue that tradition in 2012.

Coming off a season in which Haverford finished second in the Centennial, fourth in the Mideast Region and 28th in the nation, Rizzo, in his 23rd year at the helm of the program, believes there is room for continued development from his squad. "We would like to improve upon our finishes at the conference, regional and national levels," offers Rizzo.

Senior Andrea Tocci and junior Emily Scott head a veteran cast of returnees for the Fords. A second-team all-conference performer in 2011, Tocci earned all-region honors with a 14th-place finish at Regionals. Also meriting all-region recognition was Scott, a 2011 first-team All-Centennial honoree, who placed seventh at the conference championship and 26th at the regional meet.

Other Fords expected to deliver consistent scoring finishes throughout the season are senior Sara Hess and junior Flora Berklein. Hess raced to second-team All-Centennial honors as the third Haverford runner to cross the line, in 13th place, at the conference championship and then later gained valuable experience competing at the NCAA Division III championship. Showing her consistency, Berklein provided scoring for the Fords as the fifth finisher at the conference and regional championship, and then came through as the fourth finisher at the national championship meet.

Senior Sheera Rosenbaum, sophomore Charlotte Lellman and junior Erin Seglem are other members of Haverford's top seven that seem ready to contribute. Rosenbaum competed at the national championship meet while Lellman and Seglem  both ran well in 2011.

Also looking to make their mark in their senior seasons, and break into the top seven, are Rachael Potter and Mary Morgan.

Picked to finish third in the Centennial Conference preseason poll, the Fords are ranked fifth in the Mideast Region and 26th in all of Division III in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) preseason polls.

As one of the recognized contenders for the conference crown, Haverford will welcome the opportunity to host the 2012 Centennial Conference Championship on Oct. 27. 

The Fords begin the season on Sept. 1 as they take part in the Bryn Mawr Invitational. The race begins at 10 a.m.