Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional
Players Mentioned
Banfich, Tigers Finish Fourth At NCAA Women's XC Regional
November 13, 2010 | Women's Cross Country
As NCAA women's cross country regions go, it doesn't get much tougher than the Mid-Atlantic Regional, as Princeton knows full well.
The Tigers ran to a fourth-place finish Saturday at the regional at Penn state, a placing that leaves them on the bubble for an NCAA championship at-large bid.
Alex Banfich, the Ivy League Heptagonal champion two weeks ago, finished fourth for the best individual placing by a Princeton runner.
The top two teams at each region qualified automatically for the NCAA championships. In the case of the Mid-Atlantic Regional, the field includes defending NCAA champion Villanova and national powers like Georgetown, Penn State and West Virginia, as well as Princeton, who came in ranked 19th in the country.
The automatic spots in the NCAA meet went to Villanova, who ran 1-4-5-6-9 to finish with 29 points, and Georgetown, who came in second after going 2-7-8-9-14.
That left a scramble for the next highest placings. The host Nittany Lions took third with 91, and Princeton totalled 102 for fourth. West Virginia was fifth with 152.
Sheila Reid of Villanova was the individual champ, covering the 6K course in 19:34 for a 16-second win over Emily Infeld of Georgetown. Megan Hogan of George Washington was third in 19:58, though she did not count in the team placings. Banfich was fourth in 20:04, though it counted for third in the team standings.
Princeton's other scorers were Sarah Cummings in 12th, Ashley Higginson in 15th, Theresa Devine in 35th and Abby Levene in 37th.
Banfich, Cummings and Higginson all earned All-Region honors based on their top-25 finish.
Princeton finishers (team placing listed)
3.Alex Banfich 20:04
12. Sarah Cummings 20:35
15. Ashley Higginson 20:45
35. Theresa Devine 21:45
37. Abby Levene 21:48
38. Alexis Mikaelian 21:49
86. Katie Skinner 22:50