Cross Country
Runners break ODAC history
Megan Ward
Issue date: 11/2/05 Section: Sports
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For the first time in ODAC history, both the Generals men's and women's cross country teams have swept the conference two years in a row. On Saturday in Greensboro, N.C., the women finished first out of eight teams, and the men were first out of nine. In addition to the team wins, both squads also earned several individual honors.
The women's team scored 25 points, an impressive 33 points ahead of the next team and only 10 points off a perfect score.
The team took control of the race from the moment the gun sounded, having five runners finish in the top 11. Freshman Jackie Burns and sophomore 2004 National Qualifier Lindsay Erickson led the way with a 1-2 finish in 23:47 and 24:08. They were followed by freshman Becca Taylor in fourth and senior Mary Christopher in seventh. All four earned All-ODAC First Team Awards, and junior Jenny Ratzel was named to the Second Team.
"This was a total team effort and I am so proud of this group of incredible ladies," said Coach Kris Hoey.
The women took home every single post season award the conference offers. Burns earned both Rookie and Runner of the Year honors, Senior Liz Twentyman garnered the Scholar Athlete Award, and Hoey was named ODAC Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year.
In addition to the strong showing by the women, the men earned 26 points total and were a whopping 26 points ahead of the second place team.
Senior 2004 National Qualifier Nathan Johnson was still able to capture a first place finish in 26:05, followed closely by an impressive performance from sophomore Alex Mahoney in 26:10. Freshman Michael Welsh placed fifth, earning All-ODAC First Team accolades along with Johnson and Mahoney. Freshman Vance Berry, senior Andrew Johnson, and sophomore Andrew Friski earned spots on the Second team, giving the Generals an impressive six All-ODAC performances.
Johnson earned ODAC Runner of the Year and Scholar Athlete titles. Coach John Tucker, a former all-conference runner at W&L himself, also won Coach of the Year in his 17th season as a coach at W&L.
"Without hesitation, I can say that our men all ran like champions," said Tucker. Tucker also noted that the entire team improved individually from their races on the Greensboro course earlier in the season.
Both teams will compete at the NCAA South/Southeast Regional Championships, held at Hendrix College in Conway, Ark. on Nov. 12.
The women's team scored 25 points, an impressive 33 points ahead of the next team and only 10 points off a perfect score.
The team took control of the race from the moment the gun sounded, having five runners finish in the top 11. Freshman Jackie Burns and sophomore 2004 National Qualifier Lindsay Erickson led the way with a 1-2 finish in 23:47 and 24:08. They were followed by freshman Becca Taylor in fourth and senior Mary Christopher in seventh. All four earned All-ODAC First Team Awards, and junior Jenny Ratzel was named to the Second Team.
"This was a total team effort and I am so proud of this group of incredible ladies," said Coach Kris Hoey.
The women took home every single post season award the conference offers. Burns earned both Rookie and Runner of the Year honors, Senior Liz Twentyman garnered the Scholar Athlete Award, and Hoey was named ODAC Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year.
In addition to the strong showing by the women, the men earned 26 points total and were a whopping 26 points ahead of the second place team.
Senior 2004 National Qualifier Nathan Johnson was still able to capture a first place finish in 26:05, followed closely by an impressive performance from sophomore Alex Mahoney in 26:10. Freshman Michael Welsh placed fifth, earning All-ODAC First Team accolades along with Johnson and Mahoney. Freshman Vance Berry, senior Andrew Johnson, and sophomore Andrew Friski earned spots on the Second team, giving the Generals an impressive six All-ODAC performances.
Johnson earned ODAC Runner of the Year and Scholar Athlete titles. Coach John Tucker, a former all-conference runner at W&L himself, also won Coach of the Year in his 17th season as a coach at W&L.
"Without hesitation, I can say that our men all ran like champions," said Tucker. Tucker also noted that the entire team improved individually from their races on the Greensboro course earlier in the season.
Both teams will compete at the NCAA South/Southeast Regional Championships, held at Hendrix College in Conway, Ark. on Nov. 12.