Metropolitan Conference Cross Country Championship Results

Maeve Evans won the individual title and the New York University women's cross country team finished third overall at the Metropolitan Conference Championship at Van Cortlandt Park in Riverdale, NY, on Friday, October 8.

In a field of 135 runners, Evans ran the 5,000-meter course in a winning time of 18:16.  However, the victory was not an easy one.

After breaking away from a tight pack after two miles, Evans was in second place when the runners began appearing out of the Van Cortlandt hills.  She then made her move and passed Rutgers University's Brianna Deming, only to be overtaken by fellow Scarlet Knight Kelly Flannigan just a few meters later.

However, Evans still had something left in the tank and retook the lead a few seconds before crossing the finish line.

"I knew I had something left, but I just didn't know what she (Flannigan) had left," Evans admitted.

In a race where all of Evans' opponents, except her own teammates, were from NCAA Division I programs, the junior from Swanton, VT, stayed near the front the entire way until the dramatic ending.

"I was about 15th through the first mile, then only had about 4-5 people in front of me after two miles," Evans revealed.  "It was a very intense race."

NYU, currently ranked #27 in Division III by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCAA), placed five runners among the top 42 and accumulated 107 points.

Only Columbia University (41 points) and Rutgers (46) placed ahead of NYU in the 15-team field.

NYU's second finisher was Hannah Satzke, who took 18th place in a time of 19:25.

Also scoring for the Violets were Paige Zelinsky (26th place, 19:36), Emily Cousens (40th, 20:07) and Laura Santoski (42nd, 20:09).

"Maeve ran a really tough, smart race," said NYU head coach Nick McDonough.  "She ran great through the hills and put herself in a position to get the win." 

The Violets return to action on Saturday, Oct. 16, when they compete at the University of  Wisconsin-Oshkosh Brooks Invitational.