Nov. 24, 2002

Results

BRONX, N.Y. - The Terps ended their 2002 season on Saturday in Bronx, N.Y., on what could have been a second place finish in the University race of the ECAC Championships. However, due to an unanticipated snafu in the timing process, the Terps' individual times were not entered into a team score. Despite this unfortunate situation, impressive individual finishes capped off a season marked by dramatic improvements both in individual times and team standings.

In the University race, several Terps vied for top spots. Only four seconds away from victory in the individual race was freshman Allison Carney, who took second with a season-best time of 18:35.4 in the 5,000 meter race. Also finishing in the top ten was fellow freshman Cori Koch, who took 10th with a 19:07.7. Coming in third for the team was junior Kim Smith, whose time of 19:27.7 earned her 18th overall.

The top five finishers combined would have given the Terps a score of 107, which would have put the team in second behind Princeton, out of a field of 18 teams. This feat was accomplished without the help of All-East runner Katie Purcell, who was chosen to lead the Terp reserves in the Championships race. But head coach Trent Sanderson is not dwelling on the mistakes that cost the Terps a team finish.

"What's done is done," said Sanderson. "We were very confident going into this race, and I think we ran extremely well this weekend."

In the ECAC Championships race, the Terp reserves placed 8th out of a field of 9 highly competitive programs that included Georgetown, who is ranked seventh in the nation. Not surprisingly, powerhouses Cornell, Georgetown and Yale owned the top three spots, respectively, with LaSalle's Sheila Klick coming in first in the individual race.

For the seventh time this year, the Terps were led by freshman Katie Purcell, who took fourth out of 59 women with an 18:03.5. This time marked a season best for Purcell, as she finished only three seconds away from reaching her ultimate goal of breaking into 17 minutes in the 5,000 meters. Coming in next for the Terps in the Championships race was sophomore Courtney Fiorovanti, in 45th with a 19:55.8. Five seconds behind her came sophomore Bridget Baker, in 47th.

With the 2002 campaign officially closed, Sanderson is turning his sights toward the future.

"An incredible season came to an end this weekend, with next season looking bright," said Sanderson. "With the addition of several more talented girls, we could be looking at a national ranking in 2003."