The No. 24-ranked William & Mary women's cross country ran as expected Saturday morning, cruising at the Colonial Athletic Association Championships for its fourth win in a row and 21st conference title overall.  The Tribe put four runners in the top-five for 23 points, easily out-pacing the nine-team field that also included second-place James Madison (54 points) and third-place Elon (66).  W&M's 21 CAA titles ranks tied with NC State for third all-time in NCAA Women's Cross Country history.

The Tribe's top seven runners were 40 seconds faster on average than any other team, and all seven finished in the top-20.  Senior All-American Emily Stites (Wyoming, Ohio) won her first CAA cross country title in a conference-record 20:00.2 on the 6K course, 10 seconds ahead of teammate sophomore Regan Rome (Dallas, Pa.).  It was just the third cross country win of Stites' career, including the 2013 Southeast Regional and her very first race, an unattached win at Richmond in August of 2012.  The record she broke was previously held by W&M Hall-of-Famer Ali Henderson '04, who ran 20:14 in 2003.

After Rome's silver medal run, senior Meghan McGovern (North Wales, Pa.) came across in 20:48.9 to finish a career-best third, and sophomore Molly Breidenbaugh (Mechanicsville, Va.) ran 20:56.0 for fifth place overall.  Redshirt-sophomore Molly Applegate (Toms River, N.J.) earned her first all-conference award with a 21:24.9 showing for 12th place to finish the scoring line-up.  Redshirt-senior Carolyn Hennessey (Herndon, Va.) was right behind her in 13th place at 21:35.2, and senior Leanna Eisenman (Front Royal, Va.) completed the top seven in 21:57.3 for 20th overall.

William & Mary takes next week off from competition to host the 28th Annual Massey Cancer Center 5K Run and Walk, which begins at Zable Stadium at 5:15 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6.  The event has raised over $150,000 in funds for the Massey Cancer Center at MCV over the years, including $45,000 in the last two years alone.  Registration is free, but a suggested donation of at least $75 is requested.  To register or to donate, please visit http://massey5k.weebly.com/.

32nd Colonial Athletic Association Women's Cross Country Championships
Laurel Hill Plantation - 6K

Team Standings
1. #24 William & Mary 23
2. James Madison 54
3. Elon 66
4. Col. of Charleston 125
5. Delaware 153
6. Hofstra 163
7. Northeastern 173
8. Towson 210
9. UNCW 260

Top-12 Finishers (All-CAA Team)
1. Emily Stites (W&M) 20:00.2
2. Regan Rome (W&M) 20:10.6
3. Meghan McGovern (W&M) 20:48.9
4. Carol Strock (JMU) 20:53.8
5. Molly Breidenbaugh (W&M) 20:56.0
6. Kimberly Johansen (ELON) 20:58.0
7. Kathleen Stewart (JMU) 20:59.9
8. Elyse Bierut (ELON) 21:03.8
9. Cara Butcher (COFC) 21:08.4
10. Tessa Mundell (JMU) 21:17.8
11. Becky Celorio (HOFSTRA) 21:21.7
12. Molly Applegate (W&M) 21:24.9

Other W&M Runners
13. Carolyn Hennessey 21:35.2
20. Leanna Eisenman 21:57.3
28. Audrey Gordon 22:09.4
29. Deirdre Casey 22:11.3
31. Anna Wasko 22:13.8
45. Becca Eudailey 22:58.8
78. Hope Bloxom 24:10.4