Boston University has been chosen to win the America Women’s Cross Country Championship, according to a vote of the conference's coaches. The Terriers received seven first-place votes (coaches were not permitted to vote for their own team) and 63 points. Stony Brook University also garnered finished a close second in the voting with 51 points.Complete Poll
University of New Hampshire (49 points) received one first-place vote and was third, followed by Binghamton University (42) University at Albany (36) and University of Vermont (32). UMBC (24), Maine (19), and Hartford (8) rounded out the nine-team poll.
The Terriers are prepared to defend their America East and New England championships, returning a strong team led by Tori Botticelli, reigning America East individual champion and last year's Most Outstanding Performer. Also returning for Boston U. is Jess Iannacci, the team’s captain and the MVP in 2002 and 2003 who sat out last season with an injury, and sophomore Christine Laakso.
Stony Brook returns its entire team from a season ago and is led by senior Leonora Joy, a three-time all-conference member and the runner-up in 2004. Last season six Seawolves finished in the top 40 at the conference championship.
Despite the loss of Megan Hepp and Caitlin Hayes, New Hampshire will return several experienced runners, led by senior captain Jennifer Busse. Fellow seniors Chelsea Corr and Heather Carmichael will also be crucial to the team’s success.
Binghamton returns two all-conference runners, Erica Angell and Stacy Kramer, to lead the Bearcats. Binghamton will have the benefit of home course advantage, as it will host the 2005 America East Championship. Last year, the Bearcats placed fourth at the conference meet.
Albany will look for leadership from junior Alyssa Lotmore and twin sisters Jenna and Jessica Ortman. Albany finished sixth last season and had two runners finish the season in the top 25.
The Catamounts will look to sophomore Diana Purtz, the team’s MVP from last season, to set the pace for Vermont. Newcomer Annika Frodi-Lundgren is also expected to contribute for a UVM squad that finished fifth in the leage championship a season ago.
UMBC returns five runners from last year, including captains Stefanie Thomas and Kathleen Galan. The Retrievers will also look to U’Tonna Sherrod and Morgan Little, who each scored in six meets last season, and sophomore Tawny Barin, the team’s most improved runner.
Maine will look for Heather Jovanelli to be its top finisher this season, while Hana Pelletier, Teig Choroszy and Shelby Howe are also key members for the Black Bears.
Hartford expects to be led by rookies Kayla Fleming and Elizabeth Foster. The Hawks will also look for veteran runners Katie Malpigli and Jennifer Krupski to contribute.
All nine America East cross country teams will be in action at the 2005 America East Championship October 29 on the campus of Binghamton University.