Fairfield, Conn. – The MAAC women’s cross country teams battled for an opportunity to run in the 2013 Division I NCAA championships during the NCAA Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regionals that took place Friday afternoon. The Northeast regionals, hosted by Manhattan College, took place at Van Cortlandt Park in Riverdale, New York where more than 500 runners from nearly 80 teams took place in the event. The Iona College women’s cross country team was named 2013 MAAC cross country champions at Van Cortlandt Park after racing in the MAAC championship on November 1st.
Sophomore Kate Avery of the Iona Gaels, who finished the 6k course fifth overall with a time of 20:03.30, has been invited as an individual qualifier to join the NCAA championship next week in Terre Haute, Indiana. Avery’s finish earned her the chance to compete with 12 at large bid teams and 18 automatic qualifier teams, along with three other individual qualifiers, for the 2013 NCAA championship.
Rounding out the MAAC’s Northeast regionals, Niamh Ashe of Quinnipiac led the Bobcats with a 39th place finish overall sporting a time of 21:13.90. Kristen Traub of Marist finished 87th, leading the Red Foxes with a time of 22.08.00. Canisius’ Catherine Phillips time of 22:15.50 led the Griffs with a 95th place finish. Fairfield’s lead runner Maureen Crimmins finished in 145th place with a time of 22:51.10. Siena’s Christie MacFarlane finished 156th leading the Saints with a time of 22:57.90. Kim Vona led the Niagara Purple Eagles finishing 166th in 23:06.00. Manhattan’s Milena Stoicev led the Jaspers with a time of 23:24.70 finishing 177th overall. In the Mid-Atlantic regionals, Monmouth’s Amanda Eller led the Hawks with a 41st place finish in 21:16.40. The Broncs’ Megan Elgin finished 58th leading Rider with a time of 21:29.40.
The NCAA championship will take place next Saturday, November 23rd at 1:15PM in Terre Haute, Indiana, where Avery will represent the MAAC for a shot at a national title.
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
The MAAC, headquartered in Edison, N.J., consists of 11 member institutions in 2013: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter's University and Siena College. For more on the conference please visit, www.maacsports.com. Follow the MAAC on Facebook and Twitter: @MAACSports. Follow MAAC Cross Country on Twitter using the hashtag #MAACXC.
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