Middlebury Women, Williams Men Win NCAA Regional
Men's Results | Women's Results
BRUNSWICK, Maine - The Middlebury women's cross country team and the Williams men's cross country squad both took first place at the NCAA Regional meet at Bowdoin College on Saturday.
In addition, the Ephs' women's squad and the Panthers' men's team came in second in their respective races, meaning that both teams from Middlebury and Williams have automatically qualified for the 2011 NCAA Championship on Saturday, Nov. 19 at Lake Breeze Golf Course in Winneconne, Wis. The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh is serving as the host institution for this year's championship.
Middlebury scored 55 points compared to the Williams total of 60 in the women's race, while the Eph men edged the Panthes by one point, 88 to 89.
Williams sophomore Chiara Del Piccolo took the women's 6-kilometer race in 20:52, 14 seconds ahead of Wellesley junior Randelle Boots. Middlebury placed three runners among the top 10 with Margo Cramer leading the way in fourth (21:12). Amherst junior Keri Lambert was just ahead of Cramer, placing third in a time of 21:08.
On the men's side, it was a one-two-three finish for NESCAC runners. Conference champion Michael Schmidt of Middlebury took the 8-kilometer race in a time of 24:39. Bowdoin sophomore Coby Horowitz was second (24:54), while Tufts junior Matt Rand came in third (24:58).
Among the NESCAC women's teams at the race, Amherst placed fourth (142), Tufts was fifth (181), Bowdoin eighth (238), Colby ninth (242), Bates 11th (302), Wesleyan 12th (328), Connecticut College 16th (587), and Trinity 25th (716).
In the men's race, the top five spots all went to NESCAC squads. Behind Williams and Middlebury were Bowdoin (3rd, 160), Bates (4th, 161), and Tufts (5th, 175). Amherst placed eighth (205), Wesleyan 10th (236), Connecticut College 13th (354), Colby 14th (442), and Trinity 30th (917).
At the NCAA Atlantic Regional hosted by St. Lawrence in Canton, N.Y., the Hamilton women's team placed 15th out of 36 squads. Hannah Lyons '14 was the top finisher for Hamilton, placing 57th out of 256 runners on the 6-kilometer course in a time of 23 minutes, 32.3 seconds. The Continental men came in 18th out of 40. James Grebey '12 was the top finisher for Hamilton, placing 40th out of 272 runners on the 8-kilometer course in 26 minutes, 25.6 seconds.
After determining the 16 automatic qualifying teams from the eight regional sites, 16 other squads will be selected at large by the championships committee to participate in the NCAA championship. Only the top five teams in each region will be considered. Regional performance/place is the primary piece of criteria.
In addition to the 32 teams that will make up the men's and women's championship fields, 56 individuals will be invited to compete at the event. The top seven harriers from teams that have not qualified for the championship will be selected. A total of 280 runners per gender will compete on Nov. 19.
In the men's individual race, Bowdoin's Horowitz, Tufts' Rand, and Amherst's Andrew Erskine have all provisionally qualified. The Jumbos and the Polar Bears may still qualify as a team, along with Bates. From the women's race, Amherst's Lambert and Bowdoin sophomore Madelena Rizzo have provisionally qualified based on their individual finish. The Lord Jeffs are eligible for consideration as a team for the national meet.
