Oct. 25, 2001

Stony Brook, N.Y. - The Stony Brook cross country team will experience a first in Seawolves athletics on Saturday--competing in a Division I conference championship.

The America East Conference will host the 2001 Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships at the University of Maine Cross Country Course in Orono on Saturday, with the 5000m women's race at 10 a.m. The 8000m men's race is scheduled for 11 a.m.

The Seawolves are coming off a strong fall season in which they have excelled both overall and individually. The senior tandem of Jenny Payne and Dave deWolfe has been the story for Stony Brook, as Payne captured the 5000m title at the St. John's Invitational and deWolfe won the 8000m in the first meet of the season at Central Connectitcut. The two also posted runner-up finishes at CCSU and St. John's, respectively.

In addition, Payne recorded the team's best finish at the METS Championships earlier this month, placing eighth in the 5000m.

As a team, the Seawolves had strong showings at both CCSU and St. John's, as the men posted second-place finishes at both meets. The women's team captured the overall title at St. John's while coming in third at CCSU.

Not only that, the Seawolves improved their finish at the METS Championships from last season.

Boston University boasts five straight women's titles and 10 of the last 11 heading into this weekend's conference championship. The Terriers have also dominated the men's competition, coming off conference titles in 10 of the last 12 seasons.

Complete results of the 2001 America East Cross Country Championship will be available on the conference website at www.americaeast.com.