Cross Country places fifth at NEWMACs

Last Saturday, the Pioneers competed in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Championships, held in Boston's Franklin Park. MIT senior Maria Monks won the race and the Engineers took first place overall, with 18 points in the team standings. The Pioneers finished in fifth with 133 points, behind Wellesley (75), Springfield (113) and Coast Guard (117). Smith senior Co-Captain Christine Dzialo finished eighth individually.Dzialo finished the five-kilometer course with a time of 19:34. She was followed by her teammates Kristin Peck '12 in 29th place (21:01), Raquel Lemire '13 in 34th (21:13), Shannon MacKenzie '13 in 41st (21:26), Emma Yourd '12 in 53rd (21:53), and Uli Botzojourns '12 in 61st (22:09).

"Our first-year runners Raquel and Shannon really stepped it up," Dzialo said looking back on the race. "They hit their goal times and are ready for our Regional meet in two weeks. I was thrilled to make All Conference - [I] have not done this since first year."

"With some taper in the next two weeks we will be physically ready to perform to our full potential. Now we just need to work on the mental aspects of racing - focusing on going head to head against competitors, staying positive and pushing our bodies past the limit."

Smith Cross-Country will be back in action Saturday, Nov. 14 at the NCAA Regionals in Gorham, ME at the University of Southern Maine.