Women's race has full field for 1st time

Some names might have graduated, but the story is still the same. More and more women's teams have catapulted themselves into the "favorites" category this year, and many riders believe that will only improve the quality of the Little 500 race at 4 p.m. today.\n"I know a lot of teams have stepped up while others have dropped a little bit," said Alpha Omicron Pi rider Stephanie Donlan. "I think there are a lot of competitive teams that stick together, so hopefully a lot of pack riding and a fast pack. It definitely will be a more exciting race."\nFourteen teams qualified within 10 seconds of pole-sitter Kappa Delta's two minute, 45.774 qualifying time. With 33 teams comprising a full women's field, other riders agree with Donlan's race prediction.\n"Look for a lot faster field and hopefully a safe field," said Alpha Kappa Psi rider Elizabeth Emerson. \nThough she said she anticipates a strong pack, she said the field broke up in a couple of the practice races held during the weeks leading up to the race.\nAt a practice start Tuesday, 14 teams fell behind the lead pack after two laps of racing.\nKappa Kappa Gamma rider Jess Sapp predicted a fast field and more wrecks with the increased number of teams. She said with more parity among the better teams, the finish today will be "a little different" than the past.\nPre-race strategies have also changed as the race nears. Practices this week were light for many teams because they wanted to conserve energy for the race today.\n"We're trying to eat well and get our legs pumped, but not overwork them," said Alpha Kappa Psi rider and Emerson's teammate Katherine Porter.\nEven among teams that have dominated the series events, riders believe there is still a lot left to prove race day.\n"Honestly, wearing the white jersey means nothing with how you do," said Alpha Phi's Katie Thompson, whose team will wear white jerseys for its series championship. "I would take winning the Little 5 over the white jersey any day."\nKappa Delta rider Lauren Ziemba agreed. Her team will wear green jerseys to signify its pole position, but she said the color of her jersey is not important at the end of the race.\n"I would qualify 33rd every singe race if I could win every single race," she said. "It was amazing that we got the green jersey. It definitely put a little cherry on top of my senior year, but I don't expect to win Little 5 because I won the green jersey."\nGreen is also the official color of the Kappa Delta sorority.\nFormer race champion, ITT winner and Miss-n-Out winner Sapp said pre-race success can add nervousness and confidence.\n"It brings a lot of expectations, you know," Sapp said. "You're also a little more confident. I think it almost cancels each other out."\nSapp said she has a different perspective than most other riders in the race because she rode for Kappa Kappa Gamma's 2004 championship team. At a banquet last night, she told fellow women riders to enjoy the moment because memories are more important than championships.\n"When you walk away race day, you don't think 'my trophy was this size' or 'I finished in this place,'" Sapp said. "It definitely wasn't all about winning. If we don't come away with a win, I will be happy just that I participated in the event"