W&L Women Tabbed for Fifth Straight Cross Country Title

Roanoke, Lynchburg Sit Tight for Second

August 26, 2008

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 11^th 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 (11^th) and Katherine Fenwick (12^th) as well as junior Dorothy Todd (14^th)

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 (3^rd) and sophomore Emma Wilson (7^th).  Seniors Jen Doughman (9^th) and Emily Gallagher (10^th) 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