Nov. 14, 2005

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Track and Field Committee announced today that the Providence College women's cross country team received an at-large bid to participate in the 2005 NCAA Championships, which will be held on Monday, November 21 in Terre Haute, Ind. Additionally, three members of the Providence College men's cross country team qualified as individuals for the NCAA's.

The Providence women, who will be competing in their 17th consecutive NCAA Championships, finished third at the NCAA Northeast Regionals on Saturday, November 12 at Franklin Park in Boston, Mass. The Friars were led by senior All-American Fiona Christchurch (New Zealand) who captured the individual title in a time of 20:27. Graduate Aine Hoban (Wakefield, England) was the team's second highest finisher, placing sixth in a time of 21:18. Junior Meghan Owen (Danielson, Conn.) finished 15th overall in a time of 21:18, while freshman Katie DiCamillo (Garden City, N.Y.) recorded a 33rd-place finish in a time of 21:50. Sophomore Michelle Childs (Cameron, Ontario) also scored for the Friars, finishing 39th (22:03).

Although the men's team did not qualify, three individuals qualified for the NCAA Championships. Senior Martin Fagan (Mullingar, Ireland) as well as sophomores Max Smith (Dunedin, New Zealand) and Ahmed Haji (West Hartford, Conn.) each automatically qualified based on their performances at the NCAA Northeast Regionals on Saturday, November 12. Fagan finished second overall in a time of 29:15, just four seconds behind Iona's Richard Kiplagat. Smith placed fifth in a time of 30:05, while Haji recorded a time of 30:10 to place eighth.

The NCAA Championships will be held on Monday, November 21 in Terre Haute, Indiana.