Roanoke, Lynchburg Sit Tight for Second
SALEM, Va. --- Washington and Lee University
earned 79 total points and seven first place votes as the coaches
tabbed the Generals to win their fifth straight women's cross
country title in the annual ODAC Women's Cross Country Preseason
Poll. Roanoke College (68 pts.) and Lynchburg College (67
pts.) are separated by only one point for second and third,
respectively, with each garnering one top vote.
Washington and Lee won its conference-best 11th women's
cross country championship in 2007, placing six runners on the
All-ODAC teams. All six are set to return to Kris Hoey's
squad, the reigning ODAC Coach of the Year. Last season's top
two individual finishers, ODAC Runner of the Year, Kat Telfeyan,
and ODAC/Farm Bureau Scholar-Athlete, senior Becca Taylor,
spearhead the list of returnees. Senior Elizabeth Webb also
earned first team accolades with her sixth place finish, and she's
joined by second team performers in sophomores Christine Balistreri
(11th) and Katherine Fenwick (12th) as well
as junior Dorothy Todd (14th).
Five runners on the all-conference teams nearly helped Roanoke win
its second ODAC cross country title, but the Maroons fell just two
points shy of eclipsing their Washington and Lee counterparts
(33-to-34 finish). Roanoke returns four of those top
performers, including first team finishers in junior Liz Mumaw
(3rd) and sophomore Emma Wilson (7th).
Seniors Jen Doughman (9th) and Emily Gallagher
(10th) both earned second team honors.
Lynchburg occupied the final two All-ODAC spots in placing third in
the 2007 championships. Former Rookie of the Year, sophomore
Jennie Pernisi, returns after finishing fourth in Lexington.
Junior Ashley Meyer earned a spot on the second team with her
eighth place showing.
The 2008 ODAC Women's Cross Country Championship is set for
Saturday, November 1. The event will be hosted by Virginia
Wesleyan College.
Listed below is the ODAC Women's Cross Country Preseason
Poll. For more information on ODAC cross country, visit www.odaconline.com or any of
the school websites.
2008 ODAC Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll
(#) Denotes first place votes
1. Washington & Lee |
79 (7) |
2. Roanoke |
68 (1) |
3. Lynchburg |
67 (1) |
4. Bridgewater |
47 |
5. Virginia Wesleyan |
46 |
6. Eastern Mennonite |
34 |
7. Guilford |
29 |
8. Randolph |
19 |
9. Emory & Henry |
16 |