Stromberg leads SU women’s team to second straight CAC Championship, men finish second

WALKERSVILLE, Md. - The Salisbury University cross country teams traveled to Heritage Farm Park in Walkersville, Md. on Saturday to compete in the Capital Athletic Conference championships. The women's team claimed its second consecutive CAC Championship, while the men's program took second place. With the outstanding performance in the women's division, head coach Jim Jones was named Women's Coach of the Year for the third time in his career.

The women's team posted only 30 points to earn first place in the championship meet. The first Sea Gull to fly across the finish line was junior Kristen Stromberg (Hampstead, Md.). Stromberg earned a second-place finish, as she completed the course in 24:48.46. Next to finish for Salisbury was junior Jennifer Musemeci (Beachwood, N.J.) followed by sophomore Becca Stinner (Darnestown, Md.), who placed fourth and sixth and finished in 24:57.67 and 25:13.63, respectively. In 8th place was junior Masha Berge (Potomac, Md.), who finished in 25:31.28, and sophomore Emily Powell (Mt. Airy, Md), who finished in 10th place with a time of 25:39.94.

Salisbury's women's team finished just five points below The University of Mary Washington. UMW and SU have won each of the 38 Capital Athletic Conference men's and women's cross country championships since 1991. The first place finisher of the women's race was Mary Washington's Sarah Dawes. Freshman Jessica Early (Mardela Springs, Md.) was a pivotal runner in the women's race as she placed 6th, just ahead of Mary Washington's fifth-finishing runner. For her efforts, Early was named Female Rookie of the Year.

"The women fought for every inch on the course today," said Jones. "After [Mary Washington] got a lead on us, we came back and picked up the victory. [They] showed patience today, and I'm proud of this outstanding team."

On the men's side, the Sea Gulls were led by freshman Stephen Berstler Jr. (Chester, N.J.), who finished the eight-kilometer race in 27:13.96 good for third place overall. For his exceptional performance, Berstler was named Male Rookie of the Year. Only 4 seconds behind and one place behind Berstler was junior Chris Barnard (Olney, Md.), as he crossed the finish line with a time of 27:17.86. Next to finish was senior Travis Boccher (Columbia, Md), with a time of 27:26.77 good for sixth place overall. Closing out Salisbury's top five were sophomores Trevor Keen (Crownsville, Md.) (11th) and David Toller (Columbia, Md.), (15th) who finished in 27:45.99 and 27:50.90, respectively.

Mary Washington seniors Frank DeVar and Brian Fulton finished first and second overall in the men's race.

"We knew we had to battle today. Mary Washington had a tough group led by 4 seniors, all of which were very talented," explained Jones. "Our team really worked hard, I'm proud of them, but we fell a little short today."

The maroon and gold will have several days off to prepare for the 2009 NCAA Division III Mideast Regional. The Regional is scheduled for Nov. 14 at 11 a.m. in Bethlehem, Pa.

2009 CAC Cross Country Championships

Team Results
Men's
1. Mary Washington - 25 points
2. Salisbury - 38
3. York - 71
4. St. Mary's - 122
5. Hood - 131
6. Wesley - 183

Women's
1. Salisbury - 30 points
2. Mary Washington - 35
3. York - 84
4. Gallaudet - 139
5. St. Mary's - 156
6. Stevenson - 166
7. Hood - 182
8. Marymount - 197
9. Wesley - 220