November 13, 2021

The Basics

• The lead: Senior Erin Miceli was the top finisher to lead the Stevens Institute of Technology women's cross country team Saturday at the 2021 NCAA Division III Metro Region Championship.
• Location: Gloucester County Dream Park - Logan Township, New Jersey
• Short Story: Using a 6:29.2 mile pace, Miceli completed the six-kilometer course in 24:11.10 to lead Stevens' seven-runner contingent, finishing 44th out of 171 runners. The Third Team All-Middle Atlantic Conference selection posted a time of 6:25.6 over the first mile and then moved up 26 spots at the second checkpoint in posting her second-fastest time of the season. As a team, Stevens totaled 367 points to place 15th out of the 24 competing teams.
• The results: Haverford College won the inaugural Metro Region team championship with a team score of 88. The Fords placed three student-athletes among the top-10 finishers, including Isabella Miller, who won the individual championship with a time of 21:24.1. Teammate Angelina Petrichenko was second with a time of 21:29. Haverford's spread was 2:40 and the team's average time of completion was 22:41. 

Top Finishers

• The Ducks' average completion time was 25:12.
• Stevens' top-five finishers were spread by 2:31 and the Ducks' top seven were separated by 4:24 in the final race of the season.
• Sophomore Jacqueline Lulaj was the second Duck to reach the finish, crossing in a personal-best time of 24:50.8. The second-year runner averaged 6:40 per mile. 
• Junior Rachel Pinho was the third finisher, completing the race in a season-best 25:01.8 to place 72nd. 
• Sophomore Fionna Feerick and senior Caroline Corr were the final scoring runners to reach the finish, crossing the line in 25:17.4 and 26:42.9, respectively. Feerick's time was her second-fastest of the season.
• Sophomore Gabriella Toryk (28:10.9) and first-year Mia Petrolino (28:35.2) rounded out the Ducks' seven-runner contingent.

From the Course - Head Coach Lance Harden

• "The course at DREAM Park was in good shape with solid footing and both teams faced strong winds in the exposed fields."
• "Erin Miceli competed superbly as she has all season, combining smart pacing with tenacity. She improved her position by 24 places from the 1-mile mark to the finish. She has been a steady leader for us this year and we will miss her presence going forward."
• "Jacqueline Lulaj and Rachel Pinho raced side-by-side for the first three miles, moving up 31 places from the 1-mile mark to the 4,251-meter checkpoint. Jackie was able to use her 400-meter speed in the final straightaway and gained another 11 places! Rachel had a season best by 1:26—a pretty remarkable improvement!"

Up Next

• Continue to visit StevensDucks.com for women's cross country's offseason news and notes.

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