Ithaca Wins Empire 8 Women's Cross Country Title For Fifth Straight Time
October 20, 2007
ROCHESTER, NY – Ithaca College took the top four spots and seven of the top 12 to win the Empire 8 Women's Cross Country Championship title for the fifth time in as many years. The meet was held in conjunction with the RPI Saratoga Cross Country Invitational at Saratoga Spa State Park.
The Bombers, ranked 16th in Division III, finished with 18 points, putting them 63 points ahead of runner-up Alfred University. Junior Lindsey Nadolski was named Runner of the Meet for placing first in 18:02.77 over the five-kilometer course. She earned first-team all-conference honors for the third time.
Joining her on the all-conference first team were teammates Melanie McCormick (2nd in 18:07.30), Kasey Currier (3rd in 18:34.75), and senior Courtney Gallagher (4th in 18:36.07). The top seven finishers were named to the all-conference first team with the next seven finishers earning second-team honors. First-year runner Alissa Kersey of the Bombers was named Rookie of the Meet for her 11th-place time of 19:07.84.
Alfred, which entered the meet regionally ranked, edged Rochester Institute of Technology for second place. Sophomore McKenzie Clemens, the 2006 Empire 8 Rookie of the Year, finished seventh in 18:48.84 to lead the Saxons. Senior Adrienne Gagnier of RIT placed sixth in 18:41.84 to gain first-team all-conference recognition for the second consecutive year and all-conference honors for the fourth time.
Nazareth College finished closely behind in fourth place behind senior Jessica Brown, who garnered first-team all-conference honors by placing fifth in 18:39.87. It marked the second time she made all-conference.
Stevens Institute of Technology placed fifth in its first women's cross country conference championship as junior Sara Amitrani (9th in 18:57.16) and sophomore Melissa Franzese (10th in 19:00.00) posted top-10 finishes.
First-year runner Amy Schachtler was the top finisher for sixth-place Utica College, placing 37th in 20:19.99. Kim Negrich, who has led Hartwick College in her rookie campaign this season, was the Hawks' top finisher (13th in 19:09.83).