Sept. 15, 2007

The Saint Joseph's women's cross country team kicked off its first full-field event of the season at the Ram Invitational placing third. Led by freshman Aimee Chegwidden, the Hawks scored 83 points in the seven-team event behind Columbia (34 points) and College of Charleston (52 points).

Chegwidden, ninth place, finished the 5,000 meter Van Courtlandt Park track in a time of 19:40, 30 seconds behind race winner Becky Stewart of Charleston. Junior Amy Rhein was not far behind finishing the race in 19:47 for an 11th place finish.

Another freshman who had a strong performance for SJU was Christina Morelli with her 16th place run. Her time was 19:58. Behind Morelli, rounding out the scoring team was junior Juli Stensland and sophomore Anna Cushing finishing 26th and 27th in times of 20:27 and 20:29, respectively.

Two more freshmen rounded out the top seven with Laura Faller placing 38th in 21:00 and Jessica Di Cicco running 21:16 in 42nd place. Junior Katie Pencek completed the Hawk roster with her 52nd place finish in 22:30.

The race was run simultaneously with the NYU Invitational. 209 runners were n the NYU race and 79 runners were in the Ram Invitational.

Saint Joseph's is next in action at Penn State's Spiked Shoe Invitational in State College, Pa. at the Penn State University Golf Courses. Race time is at 10:00 a.m.

SJU Results at Ram Invitational
9. Aimee Chegwidden - 19:40
11. Amy Rhein - 19:47
16. Christina Morelli - 19:58
26. Juli Stensland - 20:27
27. Anna Cushing - 20:29
38. Laura Faller - 21:00
42. Jessica Di Cicco - 21:16
52. Katie Pencek - 22:30

Team Results
1. Columbia - 34
2. Charleston - 52
3. Saint Joseph's - 83
4. Fordham - 85
5. Manhattan - 90
6. Assumption - 186