ACC 50th Anniversary Teams

On May 8, 1953, the Atlantic Coast Conference was formed at the Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, N.C. In the intervening 49 years, the league has come a long way since those early days and has developed into a national leader in intercollegiate athletics. In the midst of the 2002-2003 season, the conference celebrated its 50th birthday in style. A series of events were planned to commemorate the ACC 50 years of excellence in intercollegiate athletics, including naming a 50th Anniversary Team for each of the conference’s sports.

Men’s Cross Country

Mike Cotton, Cross Country (1978-1981)
Two-time All-American (3,000m SC,1981 and Cross Country, 1980)…ACC Champion in the 3,000m SC (1979) and 10,000m (1981)…ACC Performer of the Meet (1981)…UVa record holder in the 10,000m (28:55.34, 1981).

Bobby Thiele, Cross Country (1997-2000)
Named to All-America team in 1999 for performance in Cross Country.

Women’s Cross Country

Claire Forbes, Cross Country and Track (1990-1993)
Two-time All-American in 1992 (3,000m (I,O))…Two-time ACC Outdoor Champion in the 1,500m (1990, 91), 3,000m (1990, 92)…Three- time ACC Outdoor Champion in the 5,000m (1990, 91, 92)…ACC Indoor Champion in the Mile (1990) and 3,000m (1992)…ACC Performer of the Meet (1990, 92).

Margaret Groos, Cross Country (1977-1980)
Two-time All-American in Cross Country (1978, 79) … All-American (1,500m (O),1979)…Holds UVa Outdoor record for the 5,000m (15:51.24, 1980), 3,000m (9:07.84, 1979)…Holds UVa Indoor record for 3,200m (9:52.24, 1980) and 5,000m (15:34.74,1981).

Jill Haworth, Cross Country (1980-1983)
Nine-time All-American (1980-DMR (I), 1981-DMR (I),4x800m(I), 1,400m (O),Cross Country, 1982-DMR(I), One Mile (I), 1,500m (O)…Cross Country, National Champion 1,500m (I) (1981)…Member of National Championship Cross Country Team (1981, 82).

Patty Matava, Cross Country (1985-1988)
Three-time All American in Cross Country (1985, 86, 87)…All- American in the 5,000m (O) (1988)…Two- time ACC Outdoor Champion in the 5,000m (1984, 87)…Holds UVa Outdoor record for 10,000m (32:58.64,1987).

Aileen O’Connor, Cross Country (1979-1982)
Three-time All-American in Cross Country (1979, 80, 81)…All-American (1981-5,000m (I), 10,000m (O), 1982-Two Mile (I), 10,000m)…Member of the 1981 and ’82 National Championship Cross Country Teams…National Champion in 5,000m (1979) and 10,000m (1979).

Jennifer Owens, Cross Country (1998-2001)
Two-time All-American in Cross Country (1999, 2001).

Marissa Schmidt, Cross Country (1979-1982)
Two-time All-American in Cross Country (1981,1982)…All-American in 4×800 (I) (1981), Mile (I) (1982)…Member of the 1981 and ’82 National Championship Cross Country Teams.

Dana Slater, Cross Country (1979-1982)
All-American in Cross Country (1982)…Member of the 1981 and ’82 National Championship Cross Country Teams.

Lesley Welch, Cross Country (1980-1982)
All-American (1981-Cross Country, 1982-DMR (I), Three Mile (I), 3,000m (I), Cross Country)…National Champion in Cross Country (1982)…Member of the 1981 and ’82 National Championship Cross Country Teams.

Lisa Welch, Cross Country (1980-1982)
Two-time All-American (Cross Country-1981, DMR (I)-1982)…Member of the 1981 and ’82 National Championship Cross Country Teams.