On a snowy January day in Michigan, nine women glided on skis across the plane like one working unit.\nWell, maybe they glided -- for a little while. \nA couple of them spent most of the time staggering, trying to keep their balance like Bambi learning to walk, while the rest lost their balance just from laughing so hard.\nThe nine may not be one harmonious unit, but they're content being one hilarious unit. Besides, the harmony can be saved for the bicycles.\nOn those bicycles, the nine women represent one of the most storied Little 500 teams in the history of the women's race. 2004 champions Kappa Kappa Gamma began training for a repeat as soon as the celebration ended. From sunny Florida, to snowy Michigan, Kappa had the luxury of enough riders for two teams, but the challenge of only racing one. \nThe Kappas return three riders from last year's title run, leaving one roster spot for six girls. Five riders becoming spectators on race day seems like it would spell five times the potential for conflict -- but not for Kappa. They see five times the potential for future greatness. Even if they all can't ski.
The Kappas' past\nEleven top-10 finishes.\nNine top-five finishes.\nFour championships -- tied for the most all time with Kappa Alpha Theta.\nThe Kappa history is easy to spot when admiring the 17-year history of the Women's Little 500. Kappa added to that history last year when then-sophomore Jess Sapp edged out Teter by inches. Not only did she edge out Teter, but she beat one of the fastest riders ever, the now-graduated Bri Kovac.\n"I know last year that when I was training if I knew I automatically had a spot on the team I probably wouldn't have trained as hard," Sapp said. \nThat's the beauty of extra riders. An uncertain roster spot means competition before the actual race even begins. Competition meant a little extra effort, and in Kappa's case, a little extra training means that extra inch on race day and a Little 500 Championship.\nExtra riders were non-existent when senior Meredith Horner started four years ago. As a freshman, Horner rode on a team of four. By last year, they had seven riders. Now Horner leads a team of nine -- something she never even dreamed of.\n"I never thought we would have the interest and the talent we have now," she said. "It makes me really proud."
The Kappas' present\nTitle No. 4 is in the past now, and title No. 5 has nine sets of eyes focused squarely on it.\nThe primary goal of every season is to train enough to win the race. But this year, the Kappa riders have not only had to train to win the race, but to win races in the future. They've known since the start that only one of six riders would be able to participate, so there has been the added difficulty of keeping everyone motivated.\n"We put emphasis on the whole season, not just the race day, so everyone can participate," said senior Kelsey Cooper. \nPart of that participation has meant riding in series events, escaping the cold over winter break and a spring break in St. Augustine, Fla. Every rider got the opportunity to go on every trip, and take part in any event they wanted to -- experience Sapp can fully appreciate.\n"It was nice for me to have a year just getting accustomed to the bike, and the team and the different dynamics that the sport has," Sapp said of her freshman year. "Looking back now, I'm glad it happened the way it did ... I wouldn't have it any other way."\nIt takes leaders to motivate, and Kappa coach Bill Naas feels he has three of the best in Horner, Cooper and Sapp. Younger riders can see the success and it makes it that much easier to stay committed.\n"I feel extremely proud to be a part of this team right now because the riders that are here will be remembered for a long time," said sophomore rookie Caroline Andrew, who will fill the final spot on race day.\nThe Kappas' future\nLook ahead to race day, and see the definition of bittersweet.\nThe joy and excitement of the Little 500 will be compounded with the emotions of one final ride between friends.\n"As we near the race, I'm really excited but I'm also just really sad to be losing two great seniors," Sapp said.\nLook beyond that, and see the definition of potential.\nThree juniors, two freshmen and a sophomore on this year's team spell loads of experience for future races. And as Horner and Cooper have shown, experience spells success.\n"I think the future looks really bright for the team," Horner said. "I feel really confident graduating that (the team) will be in good hands with Jess, and things will be OK."
Oddly enough, it was the two seniors who spent that winter day flailing around like Bambi.\n"I spent more time on the ground than I did on the skis," Cooper said.\nBut that's the perfect image of the 2005 Kappa squad: veterans looking like rookies, but everyone enjoying it all the same. \n"It's been a really great experience for all of us as a whole to learn to work together and to realize that age doesn't mean anything," Horner said. "That you really develop friendships that go beyond the race."\n-- Contact Sports Editor Brian \nJanosch at bjanosch@indiana.edu.
