Women's Cross Country Wins NECC Title; Curtin, Boucias, Bonsey Honored

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Molly Curtin (Brockton, Mass.) was named Runner of the Year, women's Coach of the Year honors went to Kourtney Bonsey and the Regis (Mass.) women's cross country team raced to an NECC title at the New England Collegiate Conference championships Saturday at Stanley Park in Westfield, Mass.

The Pride dominated the competition, scoring the top three finishers. Curtin ran the 5K race in 19:28.08 followed by Siobhan McLaughlin (Derry, N.H.) (19:39.23) and Maddie Boucias (Buckland, Mass.) (19:40.57). Boucias was the top newcomer to finish, landing her NECC Rookie of the Year honors.

Southern Vermont's Annika Kristiansen (Keene, N.H.) and Isabella Poulos (Milwaukee, Wisc.) rounded out the top 5 with times of 20:04.24 and 20:08.54, respectively. The Mountaineers also finished second in the team competition.

Sarah Backholm (Sutton, Mass.) was the fourth Pride finisher, crossing the finish line in a time of 21:25.30. She was followed by Jillian Mosko (22:20.69), Megan Bubello (22:30.80), Joelle Bockus (23:04.59) and Nicole Church (23:27.58)

By placing in the top seven runners overall, Curtin, McLaughlin and Boucias earned spots on the First Team All-Conference. Backholm landed on the Second Team with her 13th place finish. Below is the complete list of All-Conference honorees.

NECC All-Conference First Team

1. Molly Curtin, Regis
2. Siobhan McLaughlin, Regis
3. Maddie Boucias , Regis
4. Annika Kristiansen, Southern Vermont
5. Isabella Poulos, Southern Vermont
6. Sarah Tatgenhorst, Elms
7. Amy Bouchard, Lesley

NECC All-Conference Second Team

8. Emma Wilson, Wheelock
9. Jordan Penney, Lesley
10.  Nicole Footer, Lesley
11.  Shelby Whitman, Southern Vermont
12.  Hannah Levensailor, Lesley
13.  Sarah Backholm, Regis
14.  Jordan Welch, Southern Vermont

Next up for the Pride is the NCAA Regional which will be held Saturday, Nov. 12 also at Stanley Park.

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