Ali Henderson Wins Race, Named Performer of Meet
HUNT VALLEY, MD - In dominating fashion, William and Mary women's cross country captured the 2003 Colonial Athletic Association Cross Country Championship with a record score of 18 points. Easily covering the field, the Tribe reclaimed the CAA crown by dethroning four-time defending champion James Madison, who had set the previous scoring record at 22 in 2001. James Madison trailed in second place with 54 points while Hofstra placed third in the field of eight teams with 78 points. The Championship was contested on the hilly and challenging Oregon Ridge Park Course in Hunt Valley, MD.The title is the 11th CAA Championship won by the squad and its first since hoisting the trophy in 1998. Two-time All-American Ali Henderson (Parkville, MO) provided the sweep for the team by finishing first in 6,000m race, being named Performer of the Meet for her winning effort. The College swept the top-two positions, with 2000 CAA Rookie of the Year Emily Halm (Massillon, OH) snaring second, and placed six runners in the top-seven. Eight Tribe runners earned all-conference designation by finishing in the top-12 at the meet.
Henderson, who was never challenged after the start, ran a strong 20:14 on the hilly, slow course that was baked in bright sunshine and hot temperatures in the high 80s. Halm also completed the race in the 20s, the only other runner to do so, by clocking a 20:52. Julia Cathcart (Strakville, MS) continued her impressive freshman season by claiming fourth place, leading a quartet of Tribe runners that finished within six seconds of each other. Following closely behind, pacing a 21:21, 2001 CAA Rookie of the Year Jackie Kosakowski (Sauquoit, NY) took fifth, with senior tri-captain Maura McMahon (Westfield, NJ) running a 21:24 for sixth. Another outstanding freshman, Meghan Bishop (Blue Bell, PA), ran a 21:25 to take seventh. Also finishing in the top-12 to receive All-CAA honors were seniors Katrina Menard (Annandale, VA), who placed 10th, and Kristin McGough (Mickleton, NJ), who took 12th.
Junior Ruth Loyer (Red Lion, PA) just missed all-conference honors by placing 13th, followed closely by senior tri-captain Lara Toscani (Berwyn, PA) who finished 14th. Sophomore Lauren Heron (Manlius, NY) took 16th while junior Erin Masterson (Annapolis, MD) came home 17th in the field of 86 runners.
After reclaiming the CAA Championship, the Tribe prepares for the NCAA Southeast Regionals on November 15 in Greenville, NC, where the team aims to earn a second straight trip to the NCAA Championships.