Athletics News and Press Releases

November 12, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jen Steele
(413) 585-3076

Cross Country Finishes 10th at NCAA Regionals while Nora Youngs Qualifies for NCAA Nationals

Springfield, MA: Coming off a two week rest period after the NEWMAC Championship, the Smith Pioneers took home a 10th place finish at the NCAA New England Regional Tournament held at Springfield College. Williams College was crowned the champion. The Pioneers improved from their 17th place finish at last year’s Regional Championship. Each NEWMAC institution was represented at the meet and Smith finished second behind Wellesley College, also defeating Wheaton College who placed higher than the Pioneers at the NEWMAC Championship. Smith had a total of 298 points scored.

Leading the way for the Pioneers was freshman Nora Youngs (Penacook, NH) who finished 16th overall with an impressive time of 22:32.9. With her time, Youngs qualified for the NCAA DIII National Championship to be held in Delaware, OH. Coming in just seconds behind Youngs was senior Liz Kelly (Storrs, CT) with an overall finish of 21st and a time of 22:42.6. Freshman Emma Coleman (Anchorage, AK) finished 34th with a time of 23:07.7, while sophomore Alison Cloutier (East Hampton, CT) finished with an overall place of 103 with a time of 24:35. Rounding out the top five for the Pioneers was senior Elyse Braner (Wharton, NJ) who finished 124th with a time of 24:58.2.

The Pioneers have had a very successful season, taking second place at both the Harrier Classic and the Seven Sisters Championship, as well as a third place finish at the NEWMAC Championship. Youngs will continue to represent the Pioneers as she advances to the NCAA DIII Nationals held next Saturday in Delaware, OH.

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