Kutztown shines at NCAA Championships

EVANSTON, IN. (November 21, 2009) – The Kutztown University women’s cross country team finished its 2009 season with a flourish by placing 14^th overall with 355 points at the NCAA Division II Championships on the campus of Southern Indiana University Saturday afternoon. (NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS)

Kutztown’s 14^th place effort ties the 2006 team for the highest KU finish at the NCAA Division II Cross-Country championships in program history. 

More impressive, is the Golden Bears conquered the challenging course and unusually warm weather ahead of any of its Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) rivals. Kutztown finished with 355 points while Shippensburg finished in 15^th place with 357 points and Bloomsburg was 17^th with 391 points. Shippensburg won the Atlantic Regional two weeks ago.

“I am really happy with how they performed,” Kutztown University cross-country coach Ray Hoffman said. “We finished a couple places ahead of where we were ranked entering the championships, which was our goal coming into the meet. The girls were really happy.”

Kutztown entered the championships ranked 16^th in the final United States Track and Field Cross-Country Association (USTFCCCA) top 25 poll. The Golden Bears’ effort was even more impressive considering that five of Kutztown’s seven runners were running for the first time at the NCAA championships.

Kristin Cupido (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Rairtan) was Kutztown’s highest finisher. She was 52^nd overall with a time of 22 minutes, 14.3 seconds. Junior Cristina Reimer (Chester Springs/Downingtown) was next for Kutztown, finishing 70^th overall (22:33.5). Cupido and Reimer were two of the Golden Bears who was participating in their first NCAA championship cross-country championship races.

Helping the Golden Bears enjoy a strong finish was freshman Becca Brandt (Cleona/Cedar Crest), senior Cheryl Dingman (Lansdale/North Penn) and senior Maureen Watson (Walnutport/Allentown Central Catholic). Brandt crossed the finish line in 22:48. Dingman finished the race in 23:11.1 and Watson completed the course in 23:26.2. Senior Stephanie Grimm (Fleetwood/Oley Valley) and junior Keri Brown (Southampton, NJ/Seneca) also made important contributions during the race. Grimm and Brown finished 13 seconds apart.

“The team did a phenomenal job of competing and running today,” Hoffman said. “Overall, this is a good ending to a memorable season.”

NOTES: The top 3 teams were Adams State, Grand Valley State and Missouri Southern. Jessica Pixler of Seattle Pacific won the race in a time of 20:22.6.

--KU--