Nov. 24, 2008

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Feelings of euphoria and accomplishment ran rampant through the Stony Brook women's cross country team last week when they got the news they earned an at-large bid to the NCAA championship.

Even though coach Andy Ronan and the rest of the team knew it performed well enough to gain the bid, no one was ready to get ahead of things.

"We knew we did well enough at the Notre Dame and Pre NCAA Invitationals," sophomore Carolina Cortes said. "But you don't feel safe until you are told."

That's two straight NCAA championship appearances and counting for the Stony Brook women's cross country program, which won an automatic bid last season.

Stony Brook will take on 30 of the nation's top cross country programs at the NCAA championships in Terre Haute, Indiana Monday. "We've been building gradually over the last eight years," said Ronan. "We're at a point where we have depth with 7,8,9 quality athletes."

Stony Brook's depth was on full display as five of its runners finished in the top 13 at the America East Championship. The real test came at the NCAA Regional championship at Van Cortlandt Park last Saturday as the Seawolves took fourth.

Although the team was hoping for a higher finish at the regional, they did well enough, placing four runners in the top 47. Holly Van Dalen and Hayley Green led the way at the regional finishing 12th and 19th respectively. Laura Huet finished 26th and former Smithtown high school standout Jessica Hampson finished 47th.

Cortes, who didn't begin competing in cross country until she arrived at Stony Brook, attributed the team's success, at least in part, to every team member being on the same page. "It's just how we flowed as a team," said the former Valley Stream South standout. "We're all looking toward the same goals."

Ronan, in his ninth season at the school, attributed some of the program's success to a region known for producing great runners.

"Long Island and the entire Northeast region has a tradition of producing strong middle and long distance runners," he said.

Stony Brook has five former Long Island high school residents on its roster, including Cortes, Hampson, Cheryl Armstrong (Riverhead), Kristen Connolly (Farmingdale) and Kristal Conklin (Valley Stream Central).

That and an impressive regular season helped the Seawolves earn their at-large berth as they defeated nine teams that won automatic bids. Florida, Texas Tech, Illinois and Virginia were among the nine programs Stony Brook prevailed against.

"We're one of three teams from New York that made the NCAA championships," Ronan said. "That says a lot, because we've beaten some of the top programs in the country."