Hilton #2 in Nation

After initially being denied the chance to defend their national title, the Hilton girl's cross country team was invited as one of two of the selection committee's at-large teams. In Portland, Oregon, the team finished second behind senior co-captain Allison Sawyer, who crossed the line in third and senior Caroline Schultz who came in 13th.

Initial results had the Cadets ninth, but video review moved them into second and gave sponsor Nike the embarrassing task of taking away medals already awarded to other teams.

Hilton finished with 27 team points - second to Manlius of Syracuse. Sawyer finished the race in 19:31, Schultz in 20:02 and both were in San Diego the following weekend with head coach Mike Szczepanik for the Foot Locker National Championships.

Other top finishers for the Cadets were Sarah Ritchie (sophomore), Shelby Herman (junior), Ashley Jones (junior), Lindsay Crocetti (sophomore) and Chelsea Abrams (sophomore). All finished the five kilometer/3.1 mile course in 24:10 or less.

Hilton was one of just six teams making return engagements to the Team Nationals.

December 10, 2006