Led by team captain Cybil Covic's 2nd place overall finish, the Women's Cross Country Team captured its first ever NCAA Division III South/Southeast Region Team Championship. The Lynx dominated the race, scoring 35 points and placing 4 runners among the top 8 finishers. Emory University finished 2nd with 100 points, followed by Christopher Newport University with 135 points.
Covic, a 9th place finisher at the 2008 region meet, covered the muddy 6000 meter course in 23:35. Taylor Stephens, last year's Individual Region Champion, finish 3rd overall in 23:53. Senior Melissa De Fabrizio finished 4th overall in 24:01.
“What a tremendous team effort,” said Head Coach Robert Shankman. “Winning the region title has been our team goal since early summer. Over the last 4 weeks, we have battled illness and several minor injuries, but everyone stayed focused on the goal. Our seniors, Cybil and Melissa, deserve so much credit for setting a positive tone for the season. They have worked so hard and improved steadily each year.”
Juniors Kelsey Dudziak and Anna Johnson rounded out the scoring for the Lynx, finishing 8th and 18th overall. Junior Sandy Henin was the 6th runner for Rhodes, placing 32nd overall, and was named to the All-Region Team. Freshman Maddie Harrigan finished as the 7th Lynx runner (36th overall), and just one spot from the All-Region Team.
Next week, Rhodes will represent the Region at the NCAA Cross Country National Championship Meet in Cleveland.
RESULTS
