Jul 25, 2008

Women's Cross Country: 2008 Season Preview

The 2008 Phila. Univ. Women's team returns 3 letterwinners from the 2007 season. Head Coach Dave Thomas returns to his 3^rd season. The Philadelphia Women's team overcame a season of illness and injury in 2007 to finish 5^th overall in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) in 2007. The team tied for first in the Belmont Classic (out of 17 teams), 5^th in the Philadelphia Metro Championship (out of 18 teams), and 2^nd in the Goldey Beacom Invitational (out of 10 teams). Due to injury, the team did not finish a full team in the NCAA East Regional or ECAC Championship race.

Outstanding returning individuals will be All CACC Junior Faith Anderson (8^th in CACC Champs) and Kara Laufer/Senior, who was All CACC in 2005 and 2006. Laufer had a off year in 2007 due to a lingering illness. The team also returns letterwinner Katye Marino (27^th in CACC Champs).

Coach Thomas has re-tooled the team for 2008 with some strong recruits with All Pa. State runner Sarah Simonetti , (18:16 PR for 5,000 XC/Pennridge HS, Pa) attending Philadelphia University as the top recruit. Simonetti set numerous course records in high school, was 2x All State in XC and was 5^th in the State 3200 meter track with a time of 10:52. Another top recruit is Madalyn Trout (Riverside HS/Ohio) who has a PR of 19:56 for 5,000 XC. The team will also have a number of incoming freshmen who have run strong local performances and should contribute to the scoring; Gabriell Dei Tos (MMI Prep,Pa,), Christina Pina Chila (Paulsboro/NJ), Victoria Hilferty (Arch. Wood/Pa), Megan Monroe (Toms River/NJ)

* Of special interest: Assistant Coach Erin Donohue will be returning to Phila. University for her 3^rd season fresh from competing for the USA in the 2008 Olympic Games in the women's 1500 meters. Donohue was a 8 time All America for North Carolina and competed in the 2007 World Track Championships for the USA.


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