Cross-Country ranked third in the Atlantic Region

KUTZTOWN, PA. (October 6, 2009) – The Kutztown University women’s cross-country team is ranked third according to the latest Atlantic Regional poll released Tuesday by the United States Track and Field Cross-Country Coaches Association.

The women’s cross country team moved up four spots from last week’s ranking after their performance at the Paul Short Invitational. The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) now has eight schools ranked in the top 10.

Nationally ranked Shippensburg University is ranked No. 1 and Slippery Rock is ranked No. 2. Following Kutztown, Bloomsburg, (No. 4) Millersville, (No. 5) Lock Haven, (No 6), and East Stroudsburg (No. 7) placed in the top seven. Edinboro University is ranked ninth.

The Golden Bears entered last weekend’s Paul Short Invitational ranked seventh for its second consecutive week. Kutztown won first place in the Brown Race, placing four of its seven runners in the top 30. The Golden Bears broke their own team record and set new individual time records.

Junior Kristin Cupido (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) finished fifth with a time of 21 minutes 38 seconds. She now holds the KU school record for fastest time on the course. Senior Cheryl Dingman (Lansdale/North Penn) crossed the finish line in 22:15 for 21^st place.

Freshman Becca Brandt (Cleona/Cedar Crest), who has enjoyed stellar performances this season, finished five seconds after Dingman for 22^nd place. Not only did Brandt become KU's 6th fastest runner on the course, but she is the first freshman to hold a record for that particular course. 

The Golden Bears opened their season by placing third on this course at the Lehigh Valley Championships on Sep. 4^th. On Sept 12 they hosted the Maroon and Gold Invitational, winning first place. Junior Cristina Reimer finish the race first overall. The team traveled to the big apple on Sep 19 for the Iona Meet of Champions. They placed 14^th overall and finished two runners in the top 50.

The Golden Bears have two more meets before the PSAC Champions on Oct. 31. They perform at Lafayette Leopard Invitational on Oct. 17 and compete at Nevins Invitational @ East Stroudsburg University on Oct. 24

The top eight spots in the weekly regional poll are held by Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) members.

The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) is the non-profit professional organization that represents men's and women's cross country and track & field coaches in the United States. The organization represents over 8,000 coaching members, including 91% of NCAA coaches. USTFCCCA serves as an advocate for cross country and track & field coaches, providing a leadership structure to assist the needs of a diverse membership, serving as a lobbyist for coaches' interests, and working as a liaison between the various stakeholders in the sports of cross country and track & field.

--KU--