WENHAM, Mass. - The 2014 Commonwealth Coast Conference Women's Cross Country Championship will be hosted by Gordon College on Saturday, November 1st. The women's championship race will cover a course of 6,000 meters starting at 12:00 p.m. Runners from all 10 CCC institutions will participate with nine schools competing for the women's title.
At the 2013 CCC Championship, University of New England captured the team title. It was the second consecutive title for the Nor'easters. Leading the way for the Nor'easters in this year's championship are All-CCC honorees Tiana Thomas (5th, 25:00.3), Annelise Donahue (7th, 25:18.2) and Brittney Sorbello (10th, 25:38.7) all of whom placed in the top-10 just a year ago. Sorbello has been named CCC Runner of the Week and ECAC Runner of the Week during this fall campaign.
The 2013 CCC Runner of the Year and last year's top finisher Hannah Zydanowicz (1st, 23:15.0) returns to lead Roger Williams University. Zydanowicz comes to this year's championship after earning All-America honors as she placed 25th of 280 runners at the 2013 NCAA Division III Women's Cross Country Championship. The two-time All-CCC Runner of the Year, along with teammate and All-CCC honoree Jamie Wandzilak (4th, 24:44.7), will look to lead the Hawks to a top team finish at this Saturday's championship meet.
Salve Regina University placed third a year ago. The Seahawks return All-CCC honoree Victoria Varone (3rd, 24:32.9) to lead the way. Also returning to the lineup is sophomores Amy Irving and Nicole Schafer who in their rookie campaigns placed 12th with a time of 25:55.3 and 16th with a time of 26:12.9, respectively. Junior Aubrey Palmquist, who has garnered CCC Runner of the Week honors, will provide some depth for the Seahawks.
Endicott College returns senior Erin Haynes to lead the way for the Gulls. Haynes placed second in last year's CCC championship with a time of 24:17.3 earning All-CCC recognition. Haynes has been named CCC Runner of the Week this fall season. Despite losing All-CCC honoree Lauren Boyle, the Gulls have relied on junior Jocelyn Kane and freshman Elizabeth Vincent to provide some depth this fall.
Host Gordon College will look to junior Leanne Beedle to anchor the Fighting Scots. Beedle placed 17th of 122 runners with a time of 26:18.5 in last year's championship. Returning for Gordon is senior Jessica Fittro (23rd, 26:38.8) who provides depth for Fighting Scots, last year's fifth place finisher.
Western New England University comes to the 2014 CCC Championship with captain Katie Schmidt leading the way. Schmidt was the first Golden Bear to cross the finish line in last year's championship meet (50th, 28:37.3). Newcomer Kirstin White, who has been named CCC Rookie of the Week twice this fall, will give some depth in the race.
Curry College brings back returners Leigha Sweeney (53rd, 28:48.9) and Lydia Hixon (67th, 29:36.5) will continue to lead the way for the Colonels. Freshman Eliza-Marie Quinn Alger has provided a big lift for Curry in her first season as a Colonel as she was named CCC Rookie of the Week this fall season.
Eastern Nazarene College returns to the CCC Championship with last year's top finisher for the Lions in senior Emily Ansel (79th, 30:12.2). Teammate Dezirae Maffit and newcomer Christina Saint-Pierre will create depth in this year's championship meet for the Lions.
Nichols College returns to the championship meet with high hopes. Leading the way for the Bison is last year's top finisher in Katelyn Tupaj. Teammates Sarah Babcock and Jacquelyn Khillah will anchor the Bison lineup as they compete in this weekend's meet.
