Gulls Ready to Hit the Trails in 2006

Aug. 21, 2006

BEVERLY, MA - The women's cross country team enjoyed another very successful season under head coach Sean Dunleavy, who combined a talented freshman class with a solid nucleus of veterans.

The Gulls got off the starting line fast, capturing second place at the Pilgrim Pride Invitational held at New England College in Henniker, NH. Endicott used that momentum throughout the season receiving team awards for its third place finish at the University of New England Invitational and another second place showing at the Regis Invitational.

The Gulls also had one of their highest team finishes in the past five years at the Pop Crowell Invitational at Gordon College. EC earned a fifth place finish, edging conference rival Salve Regina University by seven points. The women's squad also placed fifth overall at the CCC Championships just five points separated the Gulls from fourth place University of New England and 22 points from CCC runner up Gordon College.

A big reason for the women's successful 2005 campaign was due to a solid core of runners led by Nicole Prokop `09 (Montgomery, MA/Westfield), who was praised by Dunleavy for her work ethic and fierce competitive nature. She was the Gulls' leader on the course and ran as the No. 1 runner for the entire season. Prokop ran her best race at the Regis College Invitational, placing third overall. She earned CCC All-Star status with her eighth place finish in the CCC Championship meet at Gordon College. She was driven by Endicott's experienced veteran runners, who keyed the Gulls' success.

The outstanding leadership of tri-captains Erica Spencer '06 (Sterling, MA/Wachusett Regional HS), Andrea Mokray '06 (Sandown, NH/Timberline Regional), and Jen Abramovitz '06 (New Canaan, CT/New Canaan) paced the women's squad throughout the year.

Despite losing all three to graduation, the 2006 season looks to be very promising. Captain-elects Kathleen Lascelles '07 (York, ME/York) and Katie Carroll '07 (Portsmouth, NH/Portsmouth) are coming off a fantastic season. Lascelles had one of her best races at the CCC Championships will look to pick up this season where she left off. While co-captain Carroll, who transferred from Salve Regina was one of the biggest surprises for Endicott. Carroll had an immediate impact on the team last season. She ran an impressive 5K time of 22:07 at the Pop Crowell Meet.

Another major surprise was Monica Hernandez-Burgos '07 (Mexico City, Mexico), a transfer from Endicott's Mexico City Campus. She had a phenomenal season for the Gulls last year running a personal best 21:16 at the Pop Crowell Meet. She and teammate Juliana Osburn '08 (Danvers, MA/Danvers), who has run a personal best 21:00 has the potential to join Prokop as a CCC all-stars this season. Katie Fitch '07 (Rochester, NY/Our Lady of Mercy) came off an injury-plagued this year will be looking to rebound to provide the women's squad with much needed depth in the 2006 season.

Although, the Gulls will have a veteran team consisting of five seniors in their top 10 this season, they will be relying on infusion of youth in 2006 in the form of freshman Lynne Gallagher '10 (Lowell, MA), Lauren Kilduff '10 (Norwell, MA) and Sarah Russett '10 (Hoosac Valley, MA), who should be vital contributors as Endicott embarks on the 2006 cross-country campaign.

The Gulls will run a scrimmage meet against Gordon College on August 26 before opening their season with the Pilgrim Pride Open at New England College on Saturday, September 2.