WATERVILLE, Me. (October 30, 2021) - The SUNY Delhi women's cross country team repeated as North Atlantic Conference (NAC) champions Saturday at Thomas College, blazing the 5K course for a three-point margin of victory with a low score of 46. Ranked second in the conference pre-championship poll, the ladies beat out the favorite Husson by having all seven runners land in the top 15, despite the Eagles taking the top two individual spots and three of the top five.
the way for the women was Sophie Stewart with her very impressive 23:10.8 time for fourth-place performance that secured her spot on First Team All-Conference. Closely behind Sophie was a herd of lady Broncos with crucial, stunning performances between the ninth and 15th place for Second Team All-League. This pack was led by Marissa Lombardi in ninth at 24:18.6, followed directly by Mary Lyons (tenth at 24:22.8), Kristina Messler (11th at 24:31.5), Kailyn Oreglio (12th at 24:41.2), Shyanne Lawton (14th at 24:49.2), and Katerina Salcedo (15th at 24:57.0).
Saturday's victory give the Broncos a perfect two-for-two at the NAC Championshpis since joining the conference in 2019. Stewart, Salcedo, Lawton, and Lyons were the returning pieces from that group. Combining their time in the ACAA, it also marked SUNY Delhi's third consecutive NCAA Division III conference title and fourth in the past five competitive seasons.
"It was a great day to be a Bronco. These ladies showed up today and raced with such confidence, I am extremely proud of this group. It was a tough course, with not as ideal conditions and this group of women did not waver. Our 2-7 runners so closely together showed the strength of this team and I'm excited for what is next to come!" – Head Coach Zach Brown.
"I am extremely happy with how the women performed today. My goal for the women's program at the beginning of the year was to win the NAC Championship and the girls worked hard all season to accomplish this. Finally, all their hard work got recognized. Going into the meet as underdogs and rising as champions. This title will always be a special one for me." - Coach Ben Finnigan
The women take their momentum on a return trip to SUNY Geneseo two weeks from now as they compete in their first-ever NCAA regional championships as full-time Division III members.
