Aug. 23, 2005

CLEVELAND - The Miami University women's cross country team was picked to finish in the top half of the Mid-American Conference as they were selected fifth in the MAC Preseason Coaches Poll. Kent State was tabbed as the preseason favorites in the poll, which was voted on by the league coaches and announced by the conference office.

Head coach Richard Ceronie did not lose any letterwinners to graduation and returns his top nine runners from a year ago. The RedHawks turned in a sixth-place finish a year ago at the conference meet, and sophomore Carol Eckerly (Beavercreek, Ohio/Beavercreek), a second team All-MAC selection, headlines the list of returnees. Eckerly posted a seventh-place finish at the MAC Championship, and along with sophomore Jennie Stoll (Pewaukee, Wis./Pewaukee), who posted the 12th-best 5000-meter time in Miami history at the Cedarville Invitational (17:53), Ceronie has a talented nucleus of young runners.

"I believe Carol can be competitive in any race in the country," Ceronie said. "Jennie just scratched the surface of how well she can run, and I would expect her to be one of the top runners in the conference."

Other top returnees include senior Kristen Proach (Canton, Ohio/St. Thomas Aquinas) and sophomore Tricia Frisella (St. Louis, Mo./Visitation Academy).

The cross country team opens their season at the Dayton Invitational on Sept. 3.