Race Results (PDF)

GENEVA, NY (October 30, 2010) – The goal for the Vassar College women's cross country team heading into the Liberty League Championships was twofold: the first was to breakup a powerful St. Lawrence team ranked No. 2 in the nation. The second was to create distance from the rest of the field. The Brewers accomplished both objectives, placing second in the six team Liberty League
Championships Saturday afternoon at Hobart/William Smith.

St. Lawrence captured the team championship with 22 points followed by Vassar with 37 points. RPI finished in third (87), Clarkson fourth (132), Union fifth (134) and William Smith sixth (139).

In a noteworthy performance for the Brewers team, three runners placed in the top seven – junior Johanna Spangler, sophomore Kelly Holmes and freshman Aubree Piepmeier -- and were named First Team All-Liberty League. Two other Vassar runners, junior Elizabeth Forbes and senior Zoe Carpenter finished among the top 14 and were named Second Team All-Liberty League.

Spangler finished third overall in the 6k race with 69 competitors – two spots higher than last season -- with a 22:52 time. Her finish was the second highest place for a Vassar runner at the league meet. In 2006, Laura Coogan finished second overall in a field of 80 runners.

Holmes was the fifth overall finisher (23:24), followed by Piepmeier in seventh (23:39). Forbes placed 10th (23:52) and Carpenter in 12th (24:30). Rounding out Vassar's seven scoring positions was junior Hannah Ziobrowski in 15th (24:39) and freshman Chloe Williams in 19th (24:50).

“This was a big and exciting day for the women's team,” said head coach James McCowan. “We got out well and competed extremely well against a strong nationally ranked team in St. Lawrence and stayed ahead of everyone else. We accomplished our goals.”

Running on a muddy course, made for slippery and slower conditions since the women's race followed the men's championship race, the Brewers were able to chip away at a St. Lawrence team with four runners finishing in the top ten.

“This was a big statement for our team that we're one of the top teams in the region,” said McCowan. “We have been very clear about our objective this season, and that's to place among the top five in the NCAA Atlantic Regional Championship (on November 13), which would punch a team ticket to the NCAA Championships. It's a very talented, competitive and deep region, but with performances like we had today, we have bettered our chances, but we still have work to do.”