Cross Country: SMWC peaks at USCAA Nationals, finishes in top 10

Friday, November 11, 2016

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College women's cross country team finished ninth of 21 teams at Friday's USCAA Women's Cross Country National Championship. The morning was highlighted by four personal records and one season best 6k times.

The Pomeroys placed three runners in the top 50 from the field of 149 runners. Leading the way, as she has all season, was junior Cheyenn Wright with a PR of 25:02.0 to finish 29th. Freshman Corrissa Proctor and senior Sarah Wichman finished back-to-back at 34th and 35th. Both finished with PR times of 25:29.0.

Sophomore Teresa Dudley finished with a season best time of 27:40.0 to finish 62nd, while freshman Elizabeth Trausch finished with a PR time of 31:31.0 to finish 100th.

Friday was the second race in a row that the Pomeroys set several PRs. SMWC finished the regular season in October with several 5k PRs to propel them into their strong performance at Friday's 6k.

SMWC's ninth place finish Friday was one spot ahead of where they finished last year, as the Pomeroys continued their upward trajectory that they had been on all season long. SMWC's four PRs were all between one and two minutes faster than their previous 6k PRs.

Friday's race ended year one under head coach Zach Whitkanack, who has gotten the most of his runners in their final 5k and 6k outings of the season. Stay tuned to SMWCPOMEROYS.com for up-to-date news and information on women's cross country and to follow the Pomeroys first off season under coach Whitkanack.