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Track Spotlight:
Personal Bests Help Propel Devils to Third Place at CACC Championships

Saturday, October 23, 2004

By Bob Heller
USIP Sports Information Director

USP got personal best times from their top four runners as the women's cross country team recorded a third place finish, their best ever at the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference championships at Belmont Plateau in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Devils finished with 82 points, just three points behind runner up Nyack College (79) and 39 behind CACC champion Georgian Court University (39).

The Devils were paced by freshman sensation Joy Aifuwa (Fr., Edison HS/Edison, NJ). Aifuwa, used a strong kick in the final 1,000 meters to overtake Nyack's Sarah Bird and finish in second place overall with a time of 20:35.26, just 10.49 seconds behind the champion, Wendy Muckell of Nyack. Aifuwa's time, a personal best this season also earned her Newcomer of the Year honors as the top first-year runner finishing the event.

Shelby Rance (So., Central Columbia HS/Bloomsburg, PA) and Elizabeth Hay (Sr., Hempfield HS/Landisville, PA) narrowly missed out on All-Conference (Top 15 runners) honors finishing 16th and 17th respectively. Rance completed the 5,000-meter course in 22:21.38 while Hay was right behind her at 22:25.66. Both times were personal bests.

Also recording a personal best was Kate Jordan (Sr., Delaware Valley HS/Athol, NY). Jordan finished two places behind Hay in 19th with a time of 22:34.01. Rounding out the Devils finishers were Amanda Reed (So., Haverford HS/Haverford, PA) (28th place, 23:25.09); Jean Dugan (Fr., Methacton HS/Norristown, PA) (30th place, 23:40.47); and Sarah Reeser (Jr., Dover Area HS/Thomasville, PA) (32nd place, 24:30.45).

Georgian Court coach Kerwin Lanz earned Coach of the Year honors while the Team Sportsmanship Award went to Caldwell College. Both awards were voted on by the coaches.