Boston University has been chosen as the unanimous preseason favorite to win the America East Women’s Cross Country Championship, according to a vote of the conference’s coaches. The Terriers received all eight possible first-place votes (coaches were not permitted to vote for their own team) and 64 points overall. University of New Hampshire followed closely behind with 55 points.
Complete Poll
Stony Brook University (44) received one first-place vote and ranked third, followed by University at Albany (40), Binghamton University (39), University of Vermont (36), University of Maine (22), UMBC (16), and University of Hartford (8) rounded out the nine-team poll.
The Terriers, who won the 2005 America East Championship, return a league-best three top-10 finishers from last year's championship team, including Marisa Ryan, who is the top returning individual. Ryan placed second at the championships and finished 14th at the NCAA Northeast Regional. She was also recently honored as America East Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Boston University finished a league-best fourth of 38 teams at the NCAA Northeast Regional.
New Hampshire, one of the youngest teams last year with just three seniors on the roster, returns four top-25 finishers from last year's championship. The youthful Wildcats will be anchored by Catherine Parker, who finished fifth at the America East Championship last year.
Despite the loss of America East champion Leonora Joy, the Seawolves were slated third among the league's head coaches. The top returner for Stony Brook is Kerry Salzano, who finished 24th at the America East Championship.
Albany, who was sixth last year at the conference championship, returns a solid group of youthful runners including Jenna and Jessica Ortman. The duo finished 17th (Jenna) and 28th (Jessica) as freshmen at the 2005 championship.
Behind top freshman finisher Katie Radzik, who finished third at the conference championship, Binghamton is slated for the fifth spot in the league. The Bearcats were fourth last year, but lost seventh-place finisher Stacy Kramer to graduation.
Senior Cara Moorby and sophomore Trista Baye should be among Vermont's top performers in 2006. The Catamounts, who were picked sixth in the preseason poll, finished fifth last season at the conference championship.
Maine will host the 2006 America East Championship in Orono, Maine on October 28. The Black Bears' Hana Pelletier and Shelby Howe will look to make the best of their home-course advantage.
UMBC added five newcomers to replace a pair of graduating seniors, including Stefanie Thomas. Thomas was the Retrievers, top finisher at the America East Championship placing 20th overall.
Senior Heather Schoonmaker is Hartford's top returner from 2005, as she placed 51st at the conference championship. The youthful Hawks return four freshmen from the 2005 roster.
The 2006 America East Cross Country Championships will be held on October 28 on the campus of the University of Maine in Orono, Maine.