Four Skyhawks earn All-NEC honors to lead Skyhawks

NEC Women's Cross Country Championship Headquarters

TYRONE, Pa. (October 28, 2022) - The Stonehill College women's cross country team competed this afternoon in the Northeast Conference (NEC) Championship meet, hosted by Saint Francis (Pa.) University at the B&D Acres Course at noon. The Skyhawks placed second overall in a tie-breaker between now five-time champions Central Connecticut State University with 47 points.

Central Connecticut collected its fifth-straight NEC Championship by having three of its top five runners in the lineup finish ahead of Stonehill's when comparing starters to break the tie. The Skyhawks take the NEC runner-up plaque behind four All-NEC performers, led by sophomore Emma Lawrence who finished fourth in the field of 86 runners by completing the five-kilometer course in 18:12.8. LIU junior Ainhoa Brea took the individual NEC title in 17:31.4 – 20-seconds ahead of the field.

LIU was third in the team standings behind CCSU and Stonehill with 59 points, followed by Merrimack College (102) in fourth and host Saint Francis (119) fifth.

Joining Lawrence in earning All-NEC honors as Stonehill placed all five of its scoring runners in the top 20, were senior Victoria Lombardi, freshman Jordan Malloy and fifth-year Rebecca Erhard.

Lombardi also posted a top ten finish for the Skyhawks, taking sixth for All-NEC honors (PHOTO BY JD Cavrish)

"It was great to see what we are capable of with everyone healthy and finally lining up with our full team. Lots of ups and downs this season but at the end of the day, they really pulled it together. They were never intimidated or lost focus of their goal as a team," said Stonehill Hall of Fame head coach Karen Boen.

More Highlights:

• Lombardi followed Lawrence to the finish line in sixth place in 18:29.8
• Molloy capped her impressive freshman season in ninth overall in 18:38.9. She was named the NEC Freshman of the Year in the championship awards ceremony at the conclusion of the event.
• Erhard capped her career with a second All-Conference honor, finishing 11^th in 18:44.8
• Senior Elizabeth Marshall rounded out the Skyhawks in the top 20 with a 17^th place finish in 18:59.6.

More Racers

• Freshman Ava Cote: Placed 25^th in today's Championship meet with a time of 19:19.5.
• Freshman Emily Young: Placed 27^th in today's Championship meet with a time of 19:27.2.
• Junior Caitlin Swanson: Placed 28^th in today's Championship meet with a time of 19:30.1.
• Senior Jillian Callahan: Placed 33^rd in today's Championship meet with a time of 19:36.8.
• Freshman Olivia Young: Placed 57^th in today's Championship meet with a time of 20:43.6.
• Junior Caroline Surrette: Placed 65^th in today's Championship meet with a time of 21:06.5.

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