Curtin wins individual title, fourth Skyhawk individual title in five years
Curtin won the individual title as she is the fourth Skyhawk to win in five years (PHOTO BY: Patty Morgan) |
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (November 9, 2019) - The Stonehill College women's cross country team, ranked No. 2 in the East Regional U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches' Association (USTFCCCA), won its 16th NCAA Division II East Regional title at Belmont Plateau in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, hosted by Jefferson University Saturday afternoon.
With its 16th title, Stonehill will now advance to its 20th-straight NCAA Division II Cross Country Championship hosted by California State, Sacramento on Haggin Oaks Golf Complex in Sacramento, California on Saturday, November 23.
Stonehill totaled 26 points in the 23-team competition, as all seven Skyhawks earned All-East Region honors, by finishing in the top 25. Roberts Wesleyan College also punched a ticket to nationals as they finished second with 41 points and Southern New Hampshire University will join the two following a third-place finish with 130 points. Adelphi University placed fourth with 146 points and Saint Anselm College rounded out the top five teams with 198 points.
The Stonehill women dominated the course on Saturday afternoon placing all seven in the top 25, as only Roberts Wesleyan was the only other team to make that happen. This is the fifth time since 2004 that the Skyhawks have had all seven runners earn All-East Region honors. Following the five-kilometer split, Stonehill totaled 22 points for first place, while Roberts Wesleyan totaled 47 points, before the Skyhawks were able to hold on for the win, capturing their ninth title in 11 years.
Junior Sam Curtin earned her third All-East Region award with the individual title clocking in a time of 22:19.1, finishing four seconds ahead of the Southern New Hampshire University runner up. This is the Skyhawks' fourth individual title in five years.
Sophomore Siobhan O'Keefe was the next Purple & White across the finish line as she placed third, the highest finish of her career, with a time of 22:38.6 in the six-kilometer race. This is her second All-East Region honor.
O'Keefe bested her mark from last year and earned her second All-East Region honor (PHOTO BY: One More Shot Photography) |
Seniors Alyssa Freeman and Anna Lastra were next across the finish line placing sixth and seventh, respectively. Freeman saw her best finish of her career at regionals with a time of 22:45.7 collecting her third All-East Region accolade. Lastra also earned her third All-East Region recognition as she clocked in a time of 22:45.8.
In her second East Regional appearance, senior Jordan Callahan posted her second-career All-East Region honor with a 10th-place finish out of 162 competitors and a time of 22:58.8.
Juniors Sophia Anderle and Jillian Howard rounded out the Skyhawks dominant performance with a 19th and 23rd place finish, respectively.This is both of their first All-East Region performances, as Anderle posted a time of 23:17.2 and Howard clocked in at 23:30.3.
With the win, Stonehill will travel to Sacramento, California to compete at the Haggin Oaks Golf Complex for the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships on Saturday, November 23, hosted by California State, Sacramento.
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