WATERFORD, Conn. — The Southern Vermont College women's cross country team recorded its first-ever team score in an NCAA Regional Qualifier on Saturday, the Mountaineers running hard at Harkness Memorial State Park to tally four personal bests and three new top times for the program.

In its second 6,000 meter race of the year, SVC was led by junior captain Shelby Whitman (Bennington, Vt.) who took 12 seconds off her previous-best 6k time for a 24:27 showing; that time tops her old second-best program mark, putting her just 18 seconds behind the team's all-time record (Kathleen Newton, 2002: 24:09). "Shelby has been a great captain and leader for this team," commented third-year SVC head coach Kathleen Newton. "She cares and supports each person and sets a great example through her work ethic."

Mountaineer junior Schyler McGuire (Mechanicville, N.Y.) came through at second for the team, taking 13 seconds off her time from last week's 6k for a time of 27:35. "Schyler has been our consistent third runner this season," said Newton. "It was good to see her top her time from last week. In her third season with the program, she was thrilled to have a full team at the ECAC's last Saturday and again at the NCAA Qualifier today."

Senior Emily Freling (Schenevus, N.Y.) ran her final collegiate cross country race on Saturday, taking 33 seconds off her previous-best 6k time for a 28:21, climbing up to seventh on the all-time SVC record list in the process. "Emily F. had a fantastic race for her last cross country meet as a collegiate runner," continued Newton. "She had a great PR as she went out strong and maintained a good pace. Both she and Cameron [Curtiss] ran amazingly today!"

Bennington College sophomore Isabella Poulos (Milwaukee, Wis.) followed Freling to place fourth for the Mountaineers, her 28:39 moving her up to eighth on the program's record chart. "Isabella suffered some stomach issues today and had a tough race," newton commented. "Despite that, she still ran a PR and finished strong. That says a lot about her as an athlete and a team member."

Junior Emily Lesure (Cheshire, Mass.) completed her rookie season, rounding out the team's scoring with a 29:28; that mark was 49 seconds faster than she put up in last week's 6k, just 23 seconds from making it onto SVC's top 10 record list. "Emily L. has been a great addition to the team," noted Newton. "She is positive, upbeat and a great team person. She had a great first season of running cross country at the college level, and she ended the season with a big PR!"

Southern Vermont was without Bennington sophomore Annika Kristiansen (Keene, N.H.) who was unable to compete in her rookie season finale due to injury. "Annika suffered a sprained ankle and was not able to compete today," said Newton. "It was very hard on her, and we were all hoping it would be better by race day. She had a great season, her first running on any team and also the first year for her running at the collegiate level. She is a competitive person and was a strong addition to our women's team."

"Both the men's and women's team this season have not only raised the bar for SVC Cross Country, but also for our conference and beyond," concluded Newton. "In very tough, aggressive races today, each athlete held their own as we had many personal bests. They went into this highly competitive meet positively and wanting to make a difference; they accomplished that and more. The women really exceeded my expectations this season. We added some new members, and they immediately became part of the team and contributed to the overall success. They came willing to work hard and improve as a team each day. They were mentally tough and pushed themselves beyond my expectations.

"This was the first time in SVC history that the women had a full team at NCAA Regionals, and that says a lot about this team and the program. It's intimidating when you have over 300 collegiate runners on the starting line representing the best of the best in New England region. These ladies embraced the challenge and ran their best races of the season. I'm so proud of them and what they have accomplished. Just like the men, they made SVC history. My emotions are running high with pride, respect, appreciation for both teams. They have made a season for all to remember and one to look forward to in 2016. I feel honored and thankful to be their coach!"

Southern Vermont
178th – Shelby Whitman: 24:47 (PR)
332nd – Schyler McGuire: 27:35
347th – Emily Freling: 28:21 (PR)
356th – Isabella Poulos: 28:39 (PR)
367th – Emily Lesure: 29:28 (PR)