Women’s cross country won the NESCAC championship last weekend, hosting the race for the first time since 2007 on its home course at Mt. Greylock Regional High School. 

Through a combination of excellent individual performance and characteristic depth, the Ephs won with a score of 58 points, placing six runners in the top 20. The runner-up was Tufts with 90 points, followed by Bates with 110 points.

The win by the women is their fourth NESCAC title in the last five years and 17th overall.

Sophie Gorman of Colby was the individual NESCAC champion. Gorman established a quick pace early in the race and led the field for a 21:40 finish. Tufts had a dominant pair in the top 3, with Danielle Page and Sabrina Gornisiewicz chasing Gorman, ahead of the rest of the field, for second and third place. 

The Ephs had some top finishers of their own. Eva Borton ’23 battled with the next pack throughout the race and came out on top, earning fourth place in a time of 22:15, as well as All-NESCAC First-Team honors. Sarah Tully ’21 also ran a competitive race alongside the region’s top athletes, running 22:28 for seventh place and All-NESCAC First-Team honors.

Behind the spectacular top performances from Borton and Tully, the Ephs’ depth shone through, earning them the victory. The Ephs’ third, fourth and fifth runners came flying through in quick succession. Maddy Boutet ’20 earned All-NESCAC Second Team honors, placing 14th in a time of 22:55. Brianna Bourne ’21 came through in 23:05, with co-captain Emma Herrmann ’20 just behind in 23:06. The pair earned 16th and 17th place, respectively. The Ephs placed all five of their scoring athletes in front of the other teams’ third runner.

Grace Dailey ’22 was the sixth Eph to come through, running a smart race for 20th place in 23:21, while Anna Passannante ’20 earned 22nd in 23:24. Abby Scott ’22 followed shortly thereafter, running 23:29 for 26th.  

Erica Barrett ’21 led in another round of Ephs, running 23:53 for 47th. Jaylan Fraser-Mines ’21 crossed next, running 23:56 for 50th, followed by Sarah Jane O’Connor ’22 who covered the distance in 24:03. Emma Tapscott ’22 continued her breakout season, finishing with a time 24:13. Leah Rosenfeld ’20 and Lilly Wells ’22 rounded out the field for the Ephs with times of 24:37 and 24:51, respectively.  

After the meet, Head Coach Pete Farwell ’73 said, “The Ephs took to it with vigor, joy, determination, fitness and talent. This women’s team has truly bonded by running stride for stride in workouts, elbow to elbow, and racing ‘in touch.’”

The Ephs will return to competition on Sunday for the USATF Championship, and then will head north to Bowdoin the following week for the NCAA Regional Championship.