Nov. 18, 2008

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Providence College women's cross country team will be making an unprecedented, 20th-straight appearance at the Division I NCAA Cross Country Championships on November 24 in Terre Haute, Ind. The streak of 20-consecutive appearances, all under the guidance of Friar Head Coach Ray Treacy, marks the longest stretch in the nation for women's cross country all-time. Entering the 2008 season, Providence and Brigham Young University were tied for the most consecutive appearances (19), but BYU failed to qualify this season.

The Friars automatically qualified for the NCAA Championships with a first-place team finish at the NCAA Northeast Regional Championship on November 15 at Van Cortlandt Park in Bronx, N.Y. Providence compiled 36 points in the team standings, en route to winning the regional crown for the second-consecutive season and the sixth time overall. Friar senior Danette Doetzel (Macklin, Saskatechwan) also claimed the individual title for the second-straight season with a time of 20:56 on the 6K course.

The Providence women's program has seen great success at the NCAA Cross Country Championships over the years. In their 19 previous appearances at the championship, the Friars have finished among the top-10 in the team standings 16 times. During seven of those 16 season, Providence has finished among the top-five. In 1995, Providence captured the NCAA title for the first time in program history with the help of four All-Americans (Marie McMahon, Moira Harrington, Maria McCambridge and Susan Murnane). Kim Smith, a two-time Olympian and currently recognized as one of the top distance runners in the world, won the NCAA individual title for the Friars in 2004.

Providence will compete at the NCAA Championships on Monday, November 24 at the Wabash Valley Family Sports Center in Terre Haute, Ind. The event is hosted by Indiana State University.

- FRIARS -