Blue Cross Country Takes Second at NEWMAC Championships

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. – The Wellesley College cross country team earned runner-up honors at the 2012 NEWMAC Cross Country Championship, hosted by Smith College on Saturday afternoon. The Blue placed second in the field of 10 teams, finishing behind only MIT, the number one ranked team in the nation.

All seven of Wellesley's top finishers placed 32nd or better in the 5k event, competing in a 145-runner field. In addition, each of the Blue's scoring runners finished in the top-25 at the race, giving Wellesley a second-place finish for the fourth year in a row.

Wellesley was paced by one All-Conference finisher in first-year Priyanka Fouda. The rookie continued her fantastic season by placing ninth overall in a time of 19:07.50. Fouda was the only non-MIT runner to break into the top-10. 

Blue senior Randelle Boots had a strong showing in her first race of the season, taking 16th overall in a time of 19:21.55. Fellow seniors Sara Putterman and Cristina Lucas were the next Wellesley finishers across the line, as Putterman took 21st in 19:31 and Lucas placed 23rd in 19:32.20. The Blue's fifth scorer was sophomore Taylor Bickford, who took 24th in a time of 19:34.13.

Wellesley's sixth and seventh finishers were senior Ada Smith and first-year Victoria Lee. Smith took 26th overall in a time of 19:40.47, while Lee placed 32nd in 19:53.04.

MIT senior Brooke Johnson earned NEWMAC Runner of the Year honors, crossing the line first in 18:30.07. Sarah Quinn of MIT, who broke the tape in 18:37.56, earned NEWMAC Rookie of the Year honors. 

As a team, Wellesley compiled 74 total points. MIT captured its sixth consecutive title, with an astonishing 15 points, the lowest score possible. Smith took third overall with 124 points, followed by Wheaton (131) and Coast Guard (148) in fourth and fifth places. Rounding out the team scores were WPI (155), Mount Holyoke (188), Springfield (201), Babson (212) and Clark (269).

Wellesley is off until Saturday, November 10th, when the team travels to Westfield State for the 2012 NCAA New England Regional meet. The race will begin at 12:00pm. 


2012 NEWMAC Women's All-Conference

Brooke Johnson, MIT
Elaine McVay, MIT
Sarah Quinn, MIT
Alexandra Taylor, MIT
Kaitlin Allen, MIT
Nicole Zeinstra, MIT
Dacie Manion, MIT
Martina de Geus, MIT
Priyanka Fouda, Wellesley
Marina Capalbo, Babson
Victoria Hewey, WPI
Kali Benavides, MIT
Danielle Opatovsky, Smith
Georgia Crane, Wheaton (Mass.)

2012 NEWMAC Runner of the Year 
Brooke Johnson, MIT

2012 NEWMAC Rookie of the Year
Sarah Quinn, MIT