Nov. 16, 2007

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - It was announced today that Providence's Danette Doetzel (Macklin, Saskatchewan) and Max Smith (Dunedin, New Zealand) earned individual honors for cross country that were handed down by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches' Association. Doetzel was named Division I Northeast Region Female Athlete of the Year, while Smith was named Male Athlete of the Year for the Northeast Region.

Doetzel has been the Friars' top female finisher in every meet that she has competed in this season, including a first-place finish at the NCAA Northeast Regionals on November 10. She finished the 6K course at Franklin Park in a time of 20:28.00. Doetzel also had impressive finishes at the BIG EAST Championship (third), Pre-Nationals (sixth) and the Notre Dame Invitational (ninth).

Smith earned the same honor for track during the 2006-07 season, but takes on the cross country accolade for the first time in his career. Smith won the NCAA Northeast Regional Cross Country Championship this season at Franklin Park in Boston, Mass. on November 10. He completed the 10K course in a time of 29:58.75. Smith has been Providence's top finisher in four meets this season, including the Notre Dame Invitational (fourth), Pre-Nationals (sixth), the BIG EAST Championship (fourth) and NCAA Northeast Regionals (first).

Doetzel and Smith will lead the Friars into the NCAA Division I Cross Country Championship scheduled for Monday, November 19 in Terre Haute, Ind.

- FRIARS -