WATERFORD, CONN. 11/10/07 - A stiff wind coming off the ocean at
Harkness State Park in Waterford, Conn. didn't stop Keene State
senior Jennifer Adams (Saratoga Springs, NY) from becoming the
first Owls women's runner to capture the New England Regional
Championship. Adams crossed the finish line of the 6K course
in 21:20 to earn an individual berth in the NCAA Division III
championship which takes place next Saturday at St. Olaf College in
Northfield Minnesota.
Adams is only the second Keene State runner ever to accomplish
the feat, joining former Owl runner and current assistant coach
Wilson Perez, who claimed the men's championship in 2000.
"Considering the conditions, I was real happy with my race," said
Adams, who will be shooting for her second cross country
All-America honor. (She earned All-America in 2005) "All my
hard work during the season paid off."
Following the advice of Coach Peter Thomas, Adams went out with the
leaders before breaking away from the pack at the two mile
mark. "I felt strong, so I decided it was time to make my
move," said Adams, who beat the second place finisher Amherst's
Heather Wilson (21:31) by 11 seconds.
Earlier in the season, Adams also won races at the Dartmouth, KSC,
and Saratoga Invitationals, and placed fifth at the New England
championships.
Adams might have some company at the nationals. Freshman
Nicole Slane (Milford, N.H.), who finished 23rd (22:25) and
sophomore Jared Samuel (Londonderry, N.H.), who ran 12th in the
men's field could also earn an individual berth. According to
Thomas their fates will be decided on Sunday when the NCAA
determines how many at-large teams will be invited to the
championships. If four teams get the nod out of the region,
then both Slane and Samuel can pack their bags for the trip to
Northfield. However, Slane injured her knee during the race
and might not be able to compete.
It was a disappointing day for both Owls squads who were hoping to
qualify for the championships. Looking to return to the
nationals, The Owl women finished in 10th place scoring 301
points. Amherst won the meet with an overall score of
40. In addition to Adams and Slane, , sophomore Rita
Marcotte (Heath, Mass.) finished in 63rd place with a time of
23:14, sophomore Mellissa Pelletier (Merrimack, NH) finished 103rd
with a time of 23:50, and senior Sophie Holly (Ledyard, Conn.)
finished in 112th place completing the course at 24:02 to round out
the women's scoring.
On the men's side, junior Sean Gavaghan (Monroe, Conn.) followed
Samuel to the finishing line. Gavaghan finished 41st with a
time of 25:40, freshman Eric MacKnight (Newtown, Conn.) placed 45th
with a time of 25:45, sophomore Samuel Wood (Laconia, NH) finished
in 51st place at 25:50, and sophomore Patrick Davis (Wethersfield,
Conn.) finished the course in 57th place with a time of
25:55. Keene State's top freshman runner Craig MacPherson
(Derry, NH) lost his shoe in the first 600 meters and never
recovered. The men scored 206 points as a team placing them
8th just behind conference rival Southern Maine. Amherst won
the meet edging Williams with a final team score of 117 to Williams
118. The individual champion was Williams' sophomore Edgar
Kosgey with a winning time of 24:55.
It was the second straight year the KSC has missed the NCAA cut
after making nine straight appearances from 1997-20005.
