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SLU women's cross country team enters 2011 season ranked No. 20 in national polls, fourth in regional poll

Posted 9/3/11

CANTON -- The St. Lawrence University women's cross country team, fresh off consecutive seasons that included victories at the Liberty League, NYSCTC and Atlantic Regional races, will enter the 2011 …

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SLU women's cross country team enters 2011 season ranked No. 20 in national polls, fourth in regional poll

Posted

CANTON -- The St. Lawrence University women's cross country team, fresh off consecutive seasons that included victories at the Liberty League, NYSCTC and Atlantic Regional races, will enter the 2011 campaign ranked No. 20 in the national polls and fourth in the regional poll.

"We obviously have the difficult task of overcoming the absence of two-time national champion Wendy Pavlus," said St. Lawrence head coach Mike Howard, the reigning two-time Atlantic Region Coach of the Year. "Despite Wendy's graduation, we believe that the success we've enjoyed over the past two seasons on the national level has provided this team with both the experience and confidence necessary to continue to compete with the best teams in the land."

St. Lawrence will be led into the 2011 season by Jenna and Megan Hulton, who have each had excellent pre-seasons. Jenna earned All-America honors in 2009 with a fifth place finish at NCAA's, and has been one of the premier runners in the Atlantic Region since arriving at St. Lawrence. Megan, who had a tremendous high school cross country career including four team state championships, is expected to make an immediate impact as one of the Saints' top runners.

Sophomore Amanda Moreland, the reigning Liberty League Rookie of the Year for cross country, may be forced to miss the 2011 season due to an injury suffered over the summer. Coach Howard will turn to senior co-captains McKayla Nuffer and Melanie Solandt as well as two-time All-Region runner Jackie Lemme and sophomore Amy Cymerman to fill the potential void left by Moreland's absence.

The Saints have a young nucleus of talent that will be looking to take form throughout the fall. Sophomores Ariel Beccia, Kelsey Leder and Toria Koutras enjoyed successful rookie seasons and will look to continue to grow in 2011. Meanwhile, newcomers Deidra Beller and Anna Rabideau join Hulton in making up a solid first-year trio, as both were All-State runners in high school.

"This team is chomping at the bit to get the season underway," added Coach Howard. "We believe we have the right blend of leadership and talent to continue our traditions that we've built over the last decade. The goals of our program have not changed in regards to our desire to win championships and advance to NCAA's. We just expect to do it in a different way."

The 2011 Cardinal Classic is scheduled to begin at 11:00am on Saturday, September 3, and features a showdown between the No. 20 Saints and No. 13 Cardinals of Plattsburgh State