GARDEN CITY, N.Y. (November 17, 2018) – The Franklin Pierce University women's cross country team wrapped up its 2018 season on Saturday afternoon by competing at the NCAA Championship East Regional, hosted by Adelphi. Junior Julia Cormier (Northwood, N.H.) led the way for the Ravens, as she finished 54^th in the 184-runner field. Franklin Pierce finished 13^th, out of 27 teams at the meet.

Cormier put together a 6k time of 24:35.4 and was one of four Ravens to finish among the top 75 runners. The next three Franklin Pierce athletes across the line finished within six seconds of each other. Sophomore Daijanique White (Hartford, Conn.) posted a 25:05.4 to finish 69^th. Freshman Alana Thompson (Westampton, N.J.) and junior Rebecca Zylak (Goffstown, N.H.) followed one after the other in 72^nd (25:09.5) and 73^rd (25:11.0), respectively.

"Julia Cormier and Daija White again were a formidable one-two punch for us," said head coach Zach Emerson after the meet. "They ran strong races to lead the squad to a 13^th-place finish in the region."

Sophomore Lauren Stankiewicz (Naugatuck, Conn.) rounded out Franklin Pierce's scoring five with a run of 26:15.8, to finish 116^th.

"I am very happy with how hard this entire squad has worked all season," continued Emerson. "Without any seniors, this is a young group that has laid down a very good foundation for future successes."

Stonehill (58 points) narrowly claimed the East Region team title over second-place Roberts Wesleyan (63 points), as both schools put all five of their scoring runners among the top-25 finishers. Merrimack (111 points) finished third and has also earned a trip to the national championship meet.

Post junior Kendall Fitzgerald put together a run of 22:10.9 to claim the individual title by nearly seven seconds over Stonehill junior Anna Lastra (22:17.4). Merrimack junior Katherine Ferrara followed in third place, at 22:26.0.

The feat was all the more impressive for Fitzgerald, who is also a member of the women's ice hockey team at Post. The women's race on Saturday began in Garden City, New York, barely more than 16 hours after she had finished an ice hockey game against Anna Maria on Friday night in Marlborough, Massachusetts. She scored a goal in a 3-0 Post victory and is the team's leading scorer on the season.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (https://www.fpuravens.com). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce cross country apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' online store (https://www.fpuravens.com/store).