Cross Country: WVU Set For Mid-Atlantic Regional
November 09, 2007 11:18 PM | General
November 9, 2007
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The No. 14 West Virginia University women’s cross country team will race at the 2007 NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional on Saturday, Nov. 10, on Lehigh’s Goodman Campus in Bethlehem, Pa. The women’s 6K race features 33 teams and will start at 12:15 p.m.
The Mountaineers have won one regional title back in 2004 and have made three appearances at nationals in 1997, 2000 and 2004. A finish in the top two spots would qualify WVU to nationals for the first time since 2004. That year, WVU went on to place 15th at nationals, its highest finish in school history. Megan Metcalfe placed 16th in earn All-America status, just the second WVU runner ever to do so (Charity Wachera – 1997).
“This race will be a big test for us at a high level,” says Head Coach Sean Cleary, who was the named the 2004 Mid-Atlantic Regional Coach of the Year. “We are hoping to earn a berth to nationals.”
WVU was idle last week after winning the program’s first ever BIG EAST Championship in Louisville, Ky., on Oct. 27. The squad became the fourth program in school history to win a BIG EAST Conference title joining men’s swimming (2006), football (1993, 2003, 2004, and 2005) and baseball (1996). Women’s soccer and men’s soccer both own regular season titles.
Since 2000, West Virginia cross country had never finished higher than fifth at the conference meet and just two years ago placed 12th in 2005.
Cleary’s lineup likely should not change from WVU’s last competitive race. First team all-BIG EAST sophomores Marie-Louise Asselin, Keri Bland and Clara Grandt should lead the way. Junior Alison Spiker and sophomore Maria Dalzot will also be in the lineup with freshmen Kate Harrison and Kaylyn Christopher in the mix as well.
Last year, WVU entered the regional race at Lehigh ranked 10th in the region but ran to a fourth-place finish. Asselin was 12th (21:09), Bland was 19th (21:13), Grandt was 28th (21:28) and Dalzot was 44th (21:57). All were freshmen at the time and Asselin and Bland were named to the All-Mid-Atlantic regional team.
The top two teams at each regional meet automatically qualify for the championship meet. Thirteen at-large teams will also be selected by the track and field subcommittee on Nov. 11. The first four individuals not on a qualifying team automatically advance to the finals.
