November 1, 2008

VCU WOMEN EIGHTH AT CAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
Finish is best for Rams since 2004
Full Results

MANASSAS, Va. – Progress and teamwork were two things the Virginia Commonwealth University women’s cross country team took away from the Colonial Athletic Association championships.

The Rams finished eighth in the meet Saturday at Bull Run Park, about where they figured they’d place given their recent times. It is VCU’s best showing in the meet since the Rams came in third in 2004. They were 10th two years ago, ninth last season.

“I see progress. We are probably the youngest team in the conference and we are moving in the right direction,” said assistant coach Ethan Tussing, who coordinates the cross country program. “I think we are in position to continue to do well.”

William and Mary, which placed five runners in the top 10, won the team title for the sixth straight year. Emily Anderson, a junior for the Tribe, was the individual champion with a time of 21 minutes, 2 seconds for the six-kilometer run. That was 15 seconds better than runner-up Janel Blancett, a junior at Georgia State.

Though the Rams’ team finish was about what Tussing figured, their order of finish was not. That’s another thing that pleased him. “We had runners step up with big performances when we needed it,” he said.

Freshman Heather DelaCruz (Williamsburg, Va.) has been the Rams’ top runner this season but she became sick during yesterday’s race. Junior Genova Washington (Woodbridge, Va.) came through with her best showing at the 6K distance by 30 seconds. Washington was the Rams’ top finisher, coming in 63rd in 24:08. DelaCruz hung in and finished 68th in 24:18.

“Genova has been working real hard this year,” Tussing said. “It all seems to have clicked into place at the right time. I think she could have run better. She was with Heather and slowed down a little to help her along. That’s great team spirit right there. I’m real excited about where Genova could be headed for the track season this year.”

Freshman Nicole Walters (Orange, Va.) also set a personal best. She finished 72nd in 24:28. That helped considerably because Samantha Hendel (Rockville Centre, N.Y.), the team’s only senior, was bothered by leg problems, Tussing said, and finished 83rd in 24:57.

VCU’s other scoring runner was freshman Aubree Washington (Woodbridge, Va.), who was 87th in 25:11. Freshman Jennifer Dominguez (Alexandria, Va.) finished 94th in 26:04.

“We didn’t have a perfect day but we showed up and did what we’re capable of doing,” Tussing said. “We showed the progress we were looking to show with a young team. We made a lot of progress as individuals this year, which helped us make a lot of progress as a team as well.”