Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
NCAA Championships
Players Mentioned
Tigers Take 5th at NCAA Cross Country Championship
November 24, 2008 | Women's Cross Country
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (11/24/08) ? The Princeton women's cross country team made program history, finishing fifth at the NCAA Championship on Monday, Nov. 24. The Tigers previous highest finish the championship was a nine-place finish in 2003.
Princeton finished with a team score of 220, with its first scorers finishing in the top 70 of the 215 runners.
Junior Liz Costello was the Tigers' top scorer finishing in 11th place with a time of 20:24. She ran the same time at Pre-Nationals just a month ago. Senior Megan Brandeland and freshman Alex Banfich practically ran the race side-by-side, covering the course in 20:51 and 20:55, respectively. The two finished in 42nd and 49th place.
Senior Jolee VanLeuven clocked in at 20:58, a career best for VanLeuven on the Gibson course. Junior Reilly Kiernan was the final point scorer for the Tigers coming in just over 21 minutes for 61st place.
Sophomore Sarah Cummings crossed the line at 21:16 and junior Alexa Glencer came in at 21:22.
Washington, which was favored to win the championship, did claim the trophy with a score of 79. Oregon was second with 131 points, followed by Florida State with 163 and West Virginia with 198.
Sally Kipyego of Texas Tech won her third straight individual title with a time of 19:28.1. Florida State's Susan Kuijken ran just behind Kipyego throughout the race and came in second at 19:34.9. Virginia Tech's Tasmin Fanning came on strong in the end to finish just three seconds behind Kujiken at 19:37.1.
Princeton Finishers
11. Liz Costello (20:24)
42. Megan Brandeland (20:51)
49. Alex Banfich (20:55)
57. Jolee VanLeuven (20:58)
61. Reilly Kiernan (21:01)
82. Sarah Cummings (21:16)
96. Alexa Glencer (21:22)