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Nov. 21, 2015

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LOUISVILLE, Ky.-The Virginia women’s cross country team placed 15th at the NCAA Championships Saturday afternoon (Nov. 21) at EP Tom Sawyer State Park in Louisville, Ky. It is the second-consecutive year the Cavaliers have placed 15th at the national meet.

The Cavaliers finished with 386 points to place 15th overall. New Mexico earned the team crown with 49 points, followed by Colorado (129), Oregon (214) and Providence (231).

“I am really proud of this group and all that they have accomplished this season,” UVA women’s cross country coach Todd Morgan said. “This isn’t the finish we had hoped for, but they certainly don’t have anything to hang their heads about.”

UVA, who won the ACC and NCAA Southeast Regional titles, was led by junior Cleo Boyd (Kingston, Ontario), who finished 67th overall in 20:38.5. Sophomore Megan Rebholz (Stafford, Va.) was 76th, a year after placing 248th at the national meet. Graduate student Iona Lake (Norwich, England) finished 92nd, while graduate student Sarah Astin (Isle of Man, Great Britain) and sophomore Maria Hauger (Shakopee, Minn.) rounded out the scoring five in 123rd and 176th, respectively.

“We have had a great season and have been healthy all year, but unfortunately, we had some misfortune the last few days with sudden injuries to several in our top six,” UVA director of track and field/cross country Bryan Fetzer said. “Without question it changes things for the worst. It is a blessing we have depth. Most teams nationally could not have overcome that and still finished in the top 15 at NCAAs. We do not want to make excuses or dwell on it because it is the nature of sports, you always have to do the best with the cards you are dealt.

“I really feel as a women’s team, we learned how to be successful as a collective group and stay focused. When we look back over time, this cross country season and this group of young ladies have changed the thought process of our program at UVA for the better. I could be more excited for the future here. The crazy thing about our sport is you have to have a very short memory. Indoor season officially began about 1:32 p.m. today and we look to build on the positives of cross country and take that onto the track.”

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