WVU - 1st Place NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regionals  Meet Results 51   Pts. Avg. Time Spread  West Virginia 51 21:49 :51 Top Individual Performances  Player Finish Time  Keri Bland 4th 21:24  Clara Grandt 6th 21:35  Marie-Louise Asselin 9th 21:46  Ahna Lewis 15th 22:09  Kaylyn Christopher 17th 22:14  Kate Harrison 23rd 22:26  Jessica O'Connell 33rd 22:53

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University cross country team won the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Team Regional Championship today at West Windsor Fields in Princeton, N.J. WVU earned 51 total points to tie Princeton. Six Mountaineers were named to the All-Mid-Atlantic Region team.

This is the second NCAA Mid-Atlantic Team Championship for the Mountaineers in school history. The previous championship came in 2004.

The Mountaineers had a trio of juniors finish in the top 10 and six runners in the top 25. Keri Bland finished in fourth place at 21:24 followed by Clara Grandt (21:35) in sixth place and Marie-Louise Asselin in ninth place with a time of 21:46. Freshman Ahna Lewis crossed the line at 22:09 in 15th place followed by sophomore Kaylyn Christopher in 17th (22:14) and Kate Harrison in 23rd (22:26). Sophomore Jessica O’Connell placed 33rd with a time of 22:53.

“Keri and Clara had a great day. They ran the race they’ve been running all year,” commented Coach Sean Cleary. “Ahna Lewis and Kaylyn ran better than they did at the BIG EAST Championships and it was a complete team effort that allowed us to overcome the muddy and sloppy elements. I’m really pleased.”

The top 25 overall finishers are automatically named to the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Region Team. WVU had six runners earn the honor, the most ever in school history. The previous record was four runners in 2004.

With the win, WVU automatically qualifies for the NCAA National Championships, which will take place on Nov. 24, in Terre Haute, Ind. This will be the first back-to-back appearances for the Mountaineers at nationals. WVU has made a total of four previous appearances at nationals: 1997, 2000, 2004 and 2007.



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