By Kelly Tuckwiller for MSNsportsNET.com
November 22, 2009
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Seniors Clara Grandt, Keri Bland and Marie-Louise Asselin raced to All-American honors today as they led the West Virginia University cross country team to a sixth-place finish at the 2009 Division I Championship in Terre Haute, Ind.
"This group came into nationals weaker than we wanted to be, but found a way to return home with great pride in their performance," coach Sean Cleary says. "WVU, the state of West Virginia and all of our fans should be very proud of what these girls have accomplished."
BIG EAST foe Villanova took the title (86), while Florida State took second (133), Washington third (188), Texas Tech fourth (191), Princeton fifth (251) and WVU sixth (259).
Grandt, a West Union, W.Va., native, was the first Mountaineer to cross the line in 13th place (20:19) as she earned her first-ever All-America honors in cross country.
"Clara Grandt after coming so close to All-America status last season saved her best for last," Cleary says. "Words cannot describe how proud I am of her and the team she led today."
Asselin and Bland became WVU’s first-ever three-time All-Americans in cross country, finshing 31st (20:43) and 34th (20:45) respectively.
Sophomores Kaylyn Christopher and Kate Harrison also had excellent races, as Christopher finished 87th (21:21) and Harrison crossed the line in 94th place (21:25).
Sarah-Anne Brault finished 145th (21:54) and Ahna Lewis finished 174th (22:13).
Illinois senior Angela Bizzarri took the top spot, finishing with a time of 19:47, leading her team to the 12th overall team spot.
This year’s finish is the Mountaineers second-highest finish at NCAAs in school history, behind last season’s fourth-place showing.
For complete results, visit NCAA.com
Awesome race Sarah!!
