Nov. 16, 2002

Bronx, N.Y. - Senior Jenny Payne became Stony Brook's first-ever qualifier for the NCAA Championships as she finished eighth in the regional competition on Saturday at Van Cortlandt Park in Bronx, N.Y.

Payne, who needed to finish in the top 12 to qualify for nationals, took eighth in a field of 238 competitors at the NCAA Northeast Regional, running the course in 21:04.8. She took the fourth automatic qualifying spot.

Freshman Leonora Joy was also impressive for the Seawolves, placing 15th with a time of 21:31.4. Junior Jackie Nunez took 21st in 21:48.8. The team scoring was complete by senior Jackie Berman in the 66th spot and sophomore Laura Hixson at No. 118. Freshman Stephanie Hack was the 6th Stony Brook athlete in 121st place.

Yale University's Kate O'Neill won the title with a time of 20:45.3.

As a team, the Seawolves placed eighth out of 36 teams with 227 points, an improvement from last season's 28th-place finish. Columbia took first with 70 points.

Payne will compete at the NCAA Championships on Nov. 25 on the campus of Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Ind.