 Nov. 16, 1997 Two Eagles Earn Spots in NCAA Division I ChampionshipAngie Graham Wins Qualifying MeetCHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Boston College senior cross country standout Angie Graham (Pickering, Ontario) finished first in a field of 191 runners at the NCAA District I qualifying meet, held at Franklin Park in Dorchester, Mass. Graham finished the 3.1 mile race in 18:04, nine seconds better than runner-up Jenna Rogers (Dartmouth). Sophomore Shannon Smith (Fairport, N.J.) also ran well, finishing fifth (18:20). Boston College, currently ranked 10th in the nation, finished third (in a field of 27 teams) with 69 points, just behind Dartmouth (49) and Providence (66). NCAA at-large team selections will be announced on Monday, November 17. Individually, Graham and Smith automatically qualify for the NCAA Division I Championships, which will be held November 24 on the campus of Furman University in Greenville, S.C. It will be the second appearance for both Graham and Smith in the NCAA Championships. Last year, Smith finished 54th and Graham 74th in a field of 176 runners as the Eagles, who earned an at-large selection, placed 12th. It was the best finish by a Boston College team in its seven NCAA appearances. In the men's race, freshman Derek Smith (Duxbury, Mass.) finished 23rd with a time of 33:02 to lead the Eagles to a seventh-place finish in a field of 29 teams. Top BC Finishers at the NCAA District I Qualifier (5,000 meters) November 16, 1997 - Franklin Park - Dorchester, Mass. Women (3.1 miles) Men (5.0 miles) 1. Angie Graham 18:04 23. Derek Smith 33:02 5. Shannon Smith 18:20 31. Marshal Armitage 33:12 15. Ann Baldelli 18:59 39. Brian Shafer 33:27 34. Jodie Lake 19:30 43. Justin Burdon 33:37 45. Darby Rice 19:44 57. Paul Abbruzzes 33:52 |
|
