The difference between sprinters and distance runners is more than meters.

But despite separate workouts and training philosophies, the sprinting and distance corps of this year's Harvard women's track team have merged, thanks to the efforts of the squad's senior co-captains, sprinter Mariquita. Patterson and distance runner Amy Simon.

"It's not the event [the captains] compete in. We can talk to either of them," says freshman sprinter Deli Favemi. "They're both really warm."

The captains' areas of individual expertise complement each other, and the pair has striven to reconcile two disparate groups of athletes.

"One of my major goals was to bring unity between the distancers and the sprinters," Patterson says. "Amy has as much communication with the sprinters as I do with the long distance runners."

The captains diverse track strengths earned them numerous distinctions in high school.

Patterson captained the Shreiver High School track team in Port Washington. N.Y., where she began developing her sprinting and field event talents.

As a senior, the Engineering concentrator clinched first place in heptathlon at the Empire State Games and the 55-meter hurdles at the New York State Championships.

A distance specialist, Simon headed her high school cross country team. She claimed a silver in the two miles and a bronze in the mile at the illinois State Championships and was awarded best senior athlete/scholar at her high school in Evanston, III.

Although Patterson has had a more illustrious Harvard career, both captains have been significant...point scorers.

Patterson dominated the hurdles and long jump during her four years in Cambridge. Named to the All-Ivy trackteam for seven straight seasons, the Eliot House resident holds the University records in the 100-meter hurdles and heptathion.

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She ran to a photo-finish second in the 100-meter hurdles at the outdoor Heptagonals a week and a half ago, and is the indoor Heptagonal 55-meter champion. At last year's outdoor Heps, she took second in the 100 hurdles and third in the long jump.

Though Simon has not matched Patterson's Heptagonal achievements, she has been one of the most consistent members of the distance squad, placing in the top four in almost every competition.

While both captains ran well on the track, it was their performances off the track that distinguished them.