Women’s Cross Country crowned CAA champions

The team notched its first conference title during the championships at James Madison University.

The Elon University women’s cross country team earned its first-ever conference championship as the Phoenix won the team title at the 2019 Colonial Athletic Association Cross Country Championships on Saturday morning, Nov. 2, at the New Market Battlefield Course at James Madison University.

The Phoenix women finished the meet with 41 points to edge out Delaware, which finished as the runner-up with 62 points. Defending champion William & Mary was third with 68 points while host James Madison was fourth with 127. Towson rounded out the top-five women’s scores with 132 points.

The Elon women completed the sweep on titles in the 6K race as senior Scolasticah Kemei took individualist honors, becoming the second-straight Phoenix female to win an individual league title. Kemei broke her own school record with a time of 20:23.7 and easily won the women’s race by over 18 seconds over the second-place finisher.

Women’s Recap

Kemei won her fourth race of the season and stayed near the top for the majority of the race. She would be named the Most Outstanding Performer of the Meet while also receiving All-CAA accolades.

Melissa Anastasakis was third overall for her highest finish ever at a CAA meet. The Hillsdale, Ontario, native set a new personal record with a time of 20:46.7 at the meet – the second-fastest time in school history. She also received All-CAA accolades for the fourth straight year.

Maria Ahm also finished in the top-five for the Phoenix, setting a new personal-record with a time of 20:51.2. Hannah Preeo was 11th with her time of 21:13.4 and was named All-CAA along with Ahm.

Up Next

Elon’s postseason continues as the Phoenix travels to the NCAA Southeast Regional Championships on Friday, Nov. 15, hosted by the University of Virginia.

Results – Elon Women
Elon – 1st (41)
1. Scolasticah Kemei – 20:23.7
3. Melissa Anastasakis – 20:46.7
5. Maria Ahm – 20:51.2
11. Hannah Preeo – 21:13.4
21. Margaret Springer – 21:47.0
24. Bridget Kanaley – 21:50.1
25. Anna Twomey – 21:56.0
43. Grace Dellapa – 22:23.7
44. Emily Smith – 22:26.6
61. Sophia Tasselmyer – 23:06.1