Nov. 21, 2009

NEW YORK - On a landmark day for the Marist College women's cross country program, the Red Foxes captured their first ECAC title in school history Saturday afternoon at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. Competing in the University Division, Marist scored 85 points to lead the 20-team field.

Sophomore Addie DiFrancesco (Waterbury, Conn.) had a record-breaking day for Marist, placing fifth overall in 17:51.8 on the 5,000-meter course. The clocking is an all-time best performance for 5km cross country in Marist history and earned her ECAC All-East honors.

Joining her on the All-East team were senior Brittany Burns (Watertown, N.Y.), who was seventh overall in 18:12.5, and sophomore Kathryn Sheehan (Wading River, N.Y.), who was 15th in 18:38.2. Rounding out the scoring pack for Marist were freshman Erin O'Reilly (East Patchogue, N.Y.) in 18:59.8 and freshman Katie Messina (Queensbury, N.Y.) in 19:09.0.

Albany placed second on Saturday with 119 points. Marist placed fourth at these championships in 2008 and in 2000.

The meet concludes the season for the cross country program.

Team Standings
1. Marist 85
2. Albany 119
3. Towson 137
4. Binghamton 147
5. Sacred Heart 188
6. New Hampshire 199
7. Loyola 206
8. Rider 208
9. Monmouth 217
10. Fordham 233
11. George Mason 297
12. Mansfield 342
13. Holy Cross 342
14. Seton Hall 378
15. Fairfield 384
16. Colgate 389 v 17. VCU 408
18. St. John's 411
19. Hofstra 512
20. Siena 513

Marist Individual Results (5,000 meters)
5- Addie DiFrancesco 17:51.8 *school record, 5km cross country; **ECAC All-East
7-Brittany Burns 18:12.5 *ECAC All-East
15-Kathryn Sheehan 18:38.2 *ECAC All-East
28-Erin O'Reilly 18:59.8
33-Katie Messina 19:09.0
37-Julie Hudak 19:14.1
40-Sarah Parsloe 19:18.0
83-Jillian Corley 19:57.4
86-Kara Lightowler 19:59.2
94-Kelley Hanifin 20:01.9
99-Briana Crowe 20:05.3
108-Sarah Keating 20:15.4

Coaches Association Race (5,000 meters)
3-Laura Lindsley 19:50.0
7-Alyson O'Brien 20:05.3
11-Rebecca Denise 20:26.4
12-Dayna McLaughlin 20:35.1
13-Katie Topalian 20:35.4
15-Dana Boscarino 20:45.1
16-Colleen Smith 20:48.7
20-Kim Bartlett 21:00.1
23-Kelley Gould 21:09.7
25-Shannon Farrell 21:21.0
29-Rachel Lichtenwalner 21:32.9
30-Rachel Bremer 21:35.1