Sept. 15, 2008

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association released its Division I Men's and Women's Cross Country Regional Rankings on Monday, September 15. The Providence College women's cross country is ranked No. 1 in the Northeast Region, while the Friar men's team is ranked No. 2 in the Northeast Region.

The Providence men's and women's cross country teams opened the 2008 season with dominant performances at the New Hampshire Dual Meet on Saturday, August 30 in Durham, N.H. Junior Hayden McLaren (Christchurch, New Zealand) led the Friars with an individual first place finish in a time of 25:36.00. The Friars also earned first place in the team standings among New Hampshire, Boston College and Georgia College.

On the women's side, the Friars swept the first four individual finishes in the race at UNH. Providence was led by senior Danette Doetzel (Macklin, Saskatchewan), who finished the race in a time of 16:40 and placed first overall. The Friars earned the top spot in the team standings over New Hampshire, Boston College and Georgia College.

The next race for the Friars is Saturday, September 20, when the they compete at the Iona Meet of Champions at Van Cortlandt Park in Bronx, N.Y.