Oct. 8, 2002

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Things just keep looking up for freshman Katie Purcell, a mathematics major who has been setting the pace for a talented group of freshmen on the women's cross country team. Thanks to her tremendous performances, she has been named Student Athlete of the Week by Terrapin Athletics. Sharing the honor on the men's side is Sumed Ibrahim, a junior on the men's soccer team.

At the Indiana State Invitational last Thursday, Purcell ran a career best time of 22:03.4. She aided her team to a seventh place finish among a field of 20 other teams including No. 14 Arkansas, No. 19 Villanova, No. 22 Michigan and No. 24 Colorado State. Purcell finished 21st overall and has been Maryland's top performer in each of her three meets this season.

Last week, Purcell's leadership guided the Maryland women's cross country team into a ninth place ranking out of 36 Division I Mid-Atlantic schools. After their impressive finish at the Indiana State Invitational, the Terps have now moved up to the number seven spot in this week's regional ranking.

Look for Purcell and the Terps as they host the Maryland Invitational on Saturday, October 19.

Women's Intercollegiate Cross Country Coaches Association top ten rankings for the Division I Mid-Atlantic Region:

1.  Georgetown
2.  Villanova
3.  Penn State
4.  West Virginia
5.  Princeton
6.  LaSalle
7.  Maryland
8.  Navy
9.  Bucknell
10. Pennsylvania