Ramos Wins Individual Title at 2021 Spring Patriot League Cross Country Championships

Friday, March 5

Bethlehem, Pa.

1 p.m.

Bucknell University

Patriot League Championships

Photo by: Rick Smith

Ramos Wins Individual Title at 2021 Spring Patriot League Cross Country Championships

3/5/2021 5:21:00 PM | Women's Cross Country

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Bucknell Finishes Third Overall

BETHLEHEM, PA. -- Junior Ashlyn Ramos started fast, and never looked back in earning an individual championship at the 2021 Patriot League Cross Country Championships on Friday afternoon on the campus of Lehigh University. The meet was the first race of the season for the Bison, who haven't competed since the fall of 2019. Ramos now advances to the NCAA Championships that will be held in Stillwater, Oklahoma on March 15 as a result of her conference championship victory.

Results

Bucknell finished third as a team overall with 61 points. Boston University repeated as the conference champion, edging out Army West Point after both teams finished with 47 points. Lafayette (123), American (132), Lehigh (137), Holy Cross (181), Colgate (206) and Loyola (Md.) (256) rounded out the field.

Ramos, who finished sixth at last season's meet, and did not compete at the 2018 PL Championships as a first year, earned Bucknell's first individual title since Colleen Buckley took first in 2018. Ramos gives Bucknell its fourth individual champion in the last five years, with Christine Bendzinski also winning in 2016 and 2017.

The native of Sammamish, Washington was within the top two spots through the first mile, and moved into first place before the 1.9 mile mark on the course. Ramos completed the 3.7 mile course in 19:34.7, just under seven seconds from Boston University's Andrea Claeson (19:41.4).

"Although we are not happy with our third-place finish, it was very close," said Head Coach Kevin Donner. "Considering it was our first competition of the year, we had some people run very good races. We didn't look as sharp, and some looked a little tired, but we are looking at this as our first outdoor meet of the year rather than our last cross country meet of the year. Ashlyn winning the Patriot League Championship is huge, and I believe she is ready for the NCAA National Championship in Stillwater. Ashley Blair finishing 7th was her third year in a row in finishing as First Team All-League, and not too many people have accomplished that. Emily Deschler making All-League was a great run for her. Outdoor track and field starts Monday!"

Ashley Blair was Bucknell's next runner, finishing seventh overall (20:15.9) for her third straight First Team All-League nod. The senior from nearby Selinsgrove has finished 6th, 5th, and 7th at the last three Patriot League Championships, respectively. Blair joins elite company, as only five Bison have earned three All-Patriot League nods, with the most recent being Christine Bendzinski from 2015-2017.

Emily Deschler rounded out Bucknell's All-Conference honorees in finishing 14th overall (20:37.7). The junior from Allentown, Pennsylvania improved by 21 spots from her 35th-place finish in 2019.

First year Abby Paczewski, the only first year who competed for the Bison on the day, (19th, 20:53.4) and two-time Second Team All-League pick Nora Bennett (20th, 20:53.7) rounded out the scoring runners for the Bison Friday. Olivia Dyer (24th, 21:05.7), last year's third-place finisher, also posted a top-25 finish for the Bison in the field of 70.

Kate Amaddio (42nd) and Mia Bellucci (47th) also competed for the Bison. Amaddio improved from her 77th-place finish in 2019, while Bellucci also improved by eight spots from 2019.

Bucknell will now turn its attention to the outdoor track & field season.