Regional Meet Website

NEW PALTZ, N.Y. –The State University of New York at New Paltz women's cross country team will toe the line at the 2013 NCAA Division III Atlantic Regional Cross Country Championships hosted by SUNY Geneseo on Saturday, Nov. 2. The race, which is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m., will take place on the 6K course at Letchworth State Park.

The runners enter the race with the goal of claiming an overall finish that will enable them to qualify for 2013 NCAA Division III National Cross Country Championships in Hanover, Ind., on Nov. 23. To qualify automatically, teams must finish in either first or second place at regional championships. At-large bids are considered for third place and beyond.

In the past, the NCAA would only consider teams up to fifth place for at-large bids, but a new rule this year allows teams finishing beyond fifth to be considered. According to head coach Mike Trunkes, this will be a big help for the women.

"There are six teams from our region ranked nationally right now," said Trunkes. "It bodes well for our opportunities if we were to finish in the top six for the committee that determines at-large spots."

Trunkes said the committee will also look at the team's inter-regional competition, such as the Connecticut College Invitational, which is in the New England Region.

The Hawks presented a strong showing at the 2013 State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Cross Country Championships on Nov. 2. Senior Amanda Wolfer (Woodbury, N.Y./Syosset) led the pack and picked up Third-Team All-SUNYAC honors with her 11th-place finish in a time of 22:31. This standard is also a personal best 6K time for Wolfer.

"My finish at SUNYACs gives me the confidence that I can run in the front of these big races. I was very happy; it sets me up for a top-20 spot at Regional Championships and an All-Region award," said Wolfer.

The team further showed its strength with its second through fifth runners. Junior Terisa Woych (Kingston, N.Y./Kingston), freshman Taryn Colon (Suffern, N.Y./Suffern), junior Bridgette Joskow (Mastic Beach, N.Y./William Floyd) and freshman Katie Gantley (Syracuse, N.Y./Onondaga) wrapped up the team's scoring runners, which secured the Hawks' fourth-place finish. There was a 38-second spread between second team finisher Woych and Gantley, who was fifth.

While the team was fourth overall, only 19 points separated New Paltz from second-place Oneonta and 16 points from third-place Cortland. Oneonta is ranked 24th nationally according to the most recent Nov. 6 poll by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

"We are really close and could possibly beat those teams," said Trunkes. "Nineteen points is very little in a cross country race."

The Hawks ran at Letchworth State Park earlier this season at the Geneseo Invitational on Oct. 5. This experience, which leaves the 6K course fresh in their memories, will also contribute to a successful result at Atlantic Regional Championships.