Nov. 10, 2007
The Stanford women's cross country team captured its ninth straight NCAA West Regional title this afternoon in Eugene, OR as they posted a dominating 33 points. Teresa McWalters captured her first individual regional title as the only runner in the race to break 20 minutes. Oregon combined for 76 points to finish second, while Arizona State rounded out the top three with 106 points.
"Our team came in with an awesome ability to focus on what we needed to do to get to nationals, and not be distracted," said McWalters. "The crowds at Oregon are always so great and supportive - we just wished they were cheering for us, so we kind of pretend they are. The whole team ran well and did their best for their teammates. We have an amazing group of women on this team who are so supportive of each other."
"(About going for a third national title) Our class came in together, and even as freshmen we were pretty mature for our ages. We were also lucky to have several upperclassmen here then that helped us to deal with the transition to college quickly. They had been close to winning (nationals) a couple years, and they taught us things that we've been able to benefit from right away."
McWalters posted a time of 19:57.30 to capture the individual crown, the sixth year in a row for a Stanford runner. Alexandra Gits earned a third place finish with her time of 20:23.40, while last years individual champion Arianna Lambie ran to a fifth place finish with a time of 20:31.25. Lauren Centrowitz rounded out the top ten with a 20:44.80, while teammate Katie Harrington was the final Cardinal point scorer as she crossed the line in 20:49.40 in 14th place. Lindsay Allen earned a 19th place finish with her time of 21:00.15, while Kate Niehaus was the final Stanford runner as she finished in 114th with a time of 22:59.20.
The Cardinal men earned a third place finish in the West Regional as they combined for 100 team points. The Cardinal had two finishers in the top ten, and all five point scorers finished in the top 30. Oregon captured its second straight regional crown as they posted the low score of 47 points, while Portland grabbed second with 76 points.
Neftalem Araia led the Stanford charge as he earned a sixth place finish with a time of 30:08.35, while teammate Hari Mix was the second Cardinal runner to finish as he rounded out the top ten in 30:20.60. Hakon DeVries finished in a time of 30:51.00 to finish 26th, followed closely behind by Garrett Heath in 28th with a time of 30:52.35. Russell Brown was the final point scorer for Stanford, crossing the line in 30th place with a 30:54.45. Elliott Heath finished with a time of 31:11.85 to take 41st place, while the final Cardinal runner, John McGuire, stopped the clock in 31:48.85 for a 65th place finish.
Stanford will be back in action on Monday, November 19 as they head to Terre Haute, Ind. for the 2007 NCAA Championship. The women will be looking to capture their third straight title, while the men will look to improve upon their fourth place finish last season.