Review 2001 ::

The only runner in school history to qualify for the NCAA cross country championship three times and lead the Hawks to the Atlantic 10 title has graduated and the Hawks' nest appears to be empty. Christine Kane capped her brilliant career last year, with a 57th place finish at NCAA's while lifting SJU to their second Atlantic 10 Championship in seven years. With Kane's graduation, a young squad of less experienced runners would have to emerge if the Hawks would again, capture the A-10 crown. Senior Denise Fergus jumped out at the Fordham Invitational to lead the Hawks with a 25th place finish in a time of 19:50. She was followed closely by teammate Katie Limbach, who made her debut as a cross country runner. Limbach finished in a time of 20:06, good for 35th. Efforts from Amy Manwaring (20:28) and Karen Weber (20:41) helped the Hawks to a sixth place finish overall out of a 19 team field. Due to the tragedies of September 11, the prestigious Spiked Shoe Invitational held at Penn State University was cancelled and SJU went on a two-week hiatus. Next up for the Hawks was the William and Mary Invitational. The competition was tough for the Hawks as Fergus led the team with a 40th place finish. Despite the high finish, Fergus turned in a time of 19:20, 30 seconds better than her finish at Fordham. Freshman newcomer, Colleen Flanagan, turned in a solid performance of her early collegiate career with a time of 19:23, earning her Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week honors. The two helped the team to a seventh place finish in a 13 team field. Two weeks later, without the help of Fergus, the Hawks competed at the Paul Short Invitational. Fergus, who missed the event due to the flu, could have helped the Hawks as they slipped to an 18th place finish in the 39 team field. Leading SJU in the two-hundred and fifty runner event was sophomore Sarah Bright who turned in a time of 22:49.33. In preparation for the Atlantic 10 Championships, Saint Joseph's had one more race, the National Invitational held at Penn State. Sophomore Karen Weber led the Hawks with a time of 23:28. Weber was followed closely by Fegus, who had returned from the flu posting a run of 23:38. SJU finished 6th in the 13 team field. Two weeks later, it was time for the Hawks to defend their A-10 title. Fergus finished the course with her best time all season (18:59) followed closely by Limbach who earned Atlantic 10 Most Outstanding Rookie of the Year honors with her time of 19:10.07. Despite the Hawks' efforts, SJU ended the day with a disappointing fifth place finish.