Final Results

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. — The Norfolk State women’s cross country team won its first-ever Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship title on Saturday morning on the campus of Maryland Eastern Shore. The Spartans scored 49 points and had four runners earn All-MEAC honors.

Sophomore Aurora Scott (Portsmouth, Va.) was the Spartans’ top finisher. She completed the 3.1 mile course (5,000 meters) in 18:44.97 for a third-place finish.

Head coach Ronda Berard earned Outstanding Coach honors for leading her team to victory.
 
“It’s an indescribable feeling to finally win the big one for the first time,” Berard said. “We came in second last year and set our expectations very high this year. The team delivered and gave a total effort today.”

Junior Jennifer Chichester (Silver Spring, Md.) and freshman Kellen Rotto (Eldoret, Kenya) trailed Scott to finish fourth and sixth, respectively. Chichester finished in 18:50.92, while Rutto ran a 19:57.00.

Sophomore Jamia Hutto (Orlando, Fla.) finished 15th in 19:52.55 to be the fourth Spartan to earn All-MEAC recognition. Senior Tia Miles (Richmond, Va.) rounded out NSU’s top five, finishing 21st in 20:18.16.

Jahlisa Smith of Hampton won the individual title, posting a time of 18:34.70.

North Carolina A&T and Maryland Eastern Shore tied for second place with 74 points. Hampton (78), and Howard (140) rounded out the top five.

The Spartans will compete at the 2009 NCAA Southeast Regional on Nov. 14 in Louisville, Ky.