Owl Women Harriers Head to NCAA Championships
KEENE, N.H. 11/16/06 - The forecast for Saturday’s NCAA Division III cross country championships in Wilmington, Ohio is not promising. Southwest Ohio has received a significant amount of rainfall, and as a result, conditions at Voice of America Park (the site of the championship) will be less than ideal.
But it will take more than a soggy course to dampen the spirits of a Keene State women’s cross country team that is making its first ever trip to the championships.
“This is something we’ve wanted all season,” said Stephanie Westcott, a senior from Bellows Falls, Vermont. “It’s really nice that we pulled it off together.”
The Owls earned their NCAA trip by placing fifth at last weekend’s New England regional meet. Led by the dynamic duo of Breanne Lucey (Keene, N.H.) and Jennifer Adams of Saratoga Springs, New York, who finished second and seventh respectively, the Owls were able to earn the region’s final championship berth.
Currently ranked 16th in the latest national poll, the Owls and Coach Peter Thomas are setting realistic expectations. “It’s our first time out there so anything better than our ranking would be good,” said Thomas. “A top 10 finish would be terrific.”
If Keene State hopes to crack the top 10 they will need strong performances from Lucey and Adams. Lucey, who captured three invitational titles and placed a strong seventh at the New England championships, is having a super inaugural season on the trails. Meanwhile the steady Adams will be in the running for her second consecutive All-America honor. “I just want to go out with the lead runners and try to hang on,” said Adams. “I’m more experienced this year, so hopefully I won’t be as nervous. I know the expectations and what needs to happen.”
Lucey and Adams will be joined by Westcott, Sophie Holly (Ledyard, Conn.), Sarah Miller (Walpole, N.H.), and freshmen Rita Marcotte (Heath, Mass.) and Adelle Zocher (Branford, Conn.) in the race.
Miller, who previously competed with Owl soccer and track teams at NCAA championships, said there’s something special about qualifying for the cross country meet. “In soccer it takes a few rounds before you reach the championship, but this is it,” she said. “The fact that it’s Keene State’s first trip makes it even better.”
Marcotte, who attended Mohawk (Mass) Regional, the same school as former Owl national champion Mark Miller, is surprised how well she has done in her first season. “I knew I had a chance to be the seventh runner, but I wasn’t prepared for the top five and going to the NCAAs,” said Marcotte.
The women’s NCAA field is very formidable. In addition to defending champ Geneseo State of New York, New England teams Amherst, Williams and Middlebury College will also be in the hunt for the NCAA title.
No stranger to NCAA competition, Thomas will be taking a Keene State cross country team to the Division III championship for the 10th straight year. The only difference this season: it’s the women instead of the men. “It’s different, but it’s also the same,” said Thomas. “They’re a different gender, but they’re the same type of athletes. They both want to work hard and get the job done.”
