Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Pre-Nationals
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Banfich Takes Second at Pre-Nationals; Princeton Seventh Overall
October 16, 2010 | Women's Cross Country
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (10/16/10) - Junior Alex Banfich finished second to lead the Princeton women's cross country team to a seventh place finish at Pre-Nationals on the LaVern Gibson Championship Course in Terre Haute, Ind.
Nine of the 38 teams running in the blue race are nationally ranked, including the No. 15-ranked Tigers. Third-ranked Florida State winning the team title with 115 points. Arizona, ranked sixth, was second with 128, followed by No. 11 Iowa State in third with 175 points.
Princeton collected 291 points to take seventh place. The Tigers finished ahead of No. 13 Washington, No. 29 BYU and No. 25 Arkansas that placed ninth, 11th and 17th, respectively. In the Ivy League Columbia finished 16th and Dartmouth was 34th.
Banfich posted a spectacular time of 20:08.3 for second place. She shaved 50 seconds off her time from the NCAA Championship when she ran a 20:58 on the same course.
Senior Ashley Higginson finished eighth at 20:33.1, improving on her NCAA Championship time of 21:07. Senior Sarah Cummings clocked in at 21:05 as the third Tiger across the line.
Sophomore Alexis Mikaelian ran a 21:36.1 on her first time out on the course as a Tiger and sophomore Mel Newbery was the fifth runner at 22:06.9. Newbery ran 22:18.1 at Pre-Nationals last year.
Sophomore Abby Levene and freshman Marisa Cummings also ran for the Tigers with Levene finishing in 22:15.7 and Cummings at 24:54.7.
UTEP's Kimaiyo Risper won the race with a time of 20:03.4. Cal's Deborah Maier took third at 20:19.3 out of 261 runners.
Princeton looks to defend its Ivy League title at Heptagonals on Friday, Oct. 30. The Tigers have won the last four league championships and seven total.
Princeton Finishers2. Alex Banfich 20:08.3
8. Ashley Higginson 20:33.1
39. Sarah Cummings 21:05.0
89. Alexis Mikaelian 21:36.1
153. Mel Newbery 22:06.9
160. Abby Levene 22:15.7
254. Marisa Cummings 24:54.7