Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Patriot League Championships
BUCKNELL WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY WINS EIGHTH PATRIOT LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
10/31/2009 8:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
Oct. 31, 2009
HAMILTON, N.Y. - Bucknell women's cross country was victorious for its eighth Patriot League Championship on Colgate's Harry Lang Cross Country Course Saturday afternoon. The Bison reclaimed their league title with the help of Stephanie Fulmer (Pottstown, Pa./St. Pius X), who finished sixth overall, earning first team honors in the process.
After finishing a disappointing second in last year's league championships, the Bison were not about to let another title slip through their fingers. Bucknell finished 16 points ahead of second-place Army and 22 ahead of last year's championship team, Navy.
Head coach Kevin Donner could not have been happier with the way his women's team performed.
"I am very proud of how our ladies held their composure in a tough race on a tough course," said Donner. "We had some key runners who were sick. However, we had some others who really stepped up big."
Fulmer may have been the first in Orange and Blue to cross the line, completing the six-kilometer course in 23 minutes, 15 seconds, but she had several teammates close behind. Junior co-captain Sarah Moniz (Topsfield, Mass./Masconomet Regional) trailed her younger teammate by just five seconds. At 23:20, Moniz earned eighth place and was named Second Team All-Patriot League for the first time in her career.
Alexa Griffiths (Tamaqua, Pa./Tamaqua) posted her strongest race of the season, finishing third for the Bison. The junior was 13th overall in a time of 23:40 and became Bucknell's third all-league selection by being named second team.
Prior to the championship race, Griffths had yet to finish among Bucknell's top three placers in any meet this season.
Rounding out the scoring for Bucknell were Alysha Hooper (Meaford, Ontario/St. Mary's) and Melissa Smith (Mercer, Pa./Mercer Area). Hooper placed 15th in 23:50, while Smith was less than a minute behind with a 23rd-place finish in a time of 24:17.
"Alexa Griffiths ran her best race of the year, and Melissa Smith and Lauren Wiemken were our unsung heroes," said Donner.
Wiemken narrowly missed scoring for the Bison, placing 28th overall in a time of 24:26.
Taking the individual title was Colgate's Elise DeRoo. The sophomore won on her home course in 22:01.
Bucknell will race again on Saturday, Nov. 14. The team will travel to Princess Anne, Md., for the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships.
TOP BISON WOMEN FINISHERS
6. Stephanie Fulmer - 23:15
8. Sarah Moniz - 23:20
13. Alexa Griffiths - 23:40
15. Alysha Hooper - 23:50
23. Melissa Smith - 24:17
TEAM RESULTS
1. Bucknell - 65
2. Army - 81
3. Navy - 87
4. Colgate - 114
5. Holy Cross - 135
6. Lafayette - 138
7. Lehigh - 143
8. American - 145
