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 Melissa Moncion led WSU at the national championship meet. |
Nov. 22, 2003
Cary, N.C. - The Wayne State University women's cross country team, running in its second consecutive NCAA Championship meet, placed in a tie-for-16th with UC-San Diego on November 22 in a meet held at the SAS Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina.
Adams State won with 38 points and was followed by Western State (101).
WSU sophomore Melissa Moncion (Washington, Mich./Romeo) led the Warriors with a 60th-place individual finish (44th in team scoring) in a time of 23:14.4. Freshman Jenni Culbertson (Clinton Twp., Mich./Dakota) placed 62nd (46th in team scoring) in a time of 23:16.3 (see photo of Culbertson to the left).
Also scoring for WSU were senior Amy Averill (Detroit, Mich./Southfield Christian), freshman Faith Kejbou (Warren, Mich./Fitzgerald) and senior Rachel Campbell (Sterling Heights, Mich./Stevenson). Averill was 96th (23:49.6 - 79th in team scoring), Kejbou placed 98th (23:50.8 - 81st in team scoring), while Campbell was 124th (24:15.7 - 104th in team scoring).
Junior Renee Moncion (Washington, Mich./Romeo) was 127th (24:17.5 - 107th in team scoring) with senior Ruth Minnick (Sterling Heights, Mich./Stevenson) placing 141st (24:34.4 - 121st in team scoring).
Head Coach Rick Cummins at the conclusion of the race had the following comments - "We ran tough. Getting to the national championships was a major accomplishment. Rachel and Amy are fighting significant injuries. They are both battling through pain to help the program. Melissa lost most of her summer to illness and our two freshmen are inexperienced. Renee and Ruthie turned in their usual gutsy effort. Considering our health I was very happy. The effort was there. I am proud of this group."
