TERRE HAUTE, Ind.; November 20, 2006 - Freshman Bridget Franek (Hiram, Ohio) finished 173rd among 253 runners with a time of 22:41.8. in the 6K at the 2006 NCAA Women¡¯s Cross Country Championships. Indiana State University hosted the event. Franek received a bid at the NCAA Mid Atlantic Regional held at Lock Haven University.

Franek garnered Big Ten Runner of the Week accolades Oct. 10, 2006 after finishing first at the Penn State National. She has become one of Penn State¡¯s most successful distance runners, emerging as the top runner in each event this season.

Stanford finished first at the NCAA Championships with 195 points, followed by Colorado and Michigan with 223 and 233 points, respectively. This concludes the 2006 cross country season with the Penn State Women¡¯s Indoor Track season beginning January 13, 2007.