DuBois Lady Lions Champion the Conference for Cross Country
State College, Pa
This past Saturday, the Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) held its annual cross country championships on the golf course of Penn State University Park. Head Coach Kyle Gordon and his Penn State DuBois running squad showed once more that cross country is becoming one of the most successful sports in the DuBois area.
The weather, barely above freezing temperatures and accompanied by a mixture of sleet and rain, didn't faze the women's cross country team as they placed all four runners with All-Conference Honors. To make the All-Conference Team, athletes must finish in the top fourteen of the championship race.
Juliann Boddorf reassured fans of her talent by claiming the title of Conference Champion. Boddorf has won every conference race this season and sealed the deal on Saturday by running at her fastest mile pace all year. Joining her in the limelight was perhaps the most balanced running team that Penn State DuBois has ever seen. DuBois native, Stephanie Graham, stole the fourth place finish with her fastest mile pace of the season. As noted in previous press releases, the only returning runner from last year besides Boddorf was Tamera Anthony. Anthony rose from being ranked 21st in the conference last year, to finishing the championship race this year in 10th place. Lastly, was newcomer Carley Boice who rounded out the notable performances. Boice, who has been gradually gaining momentum through the season, claimed a 12th place finish in the conference. Since joining the cross country team, Boice has been able to shave off a whole two minutes from her mile pace.
"This is arguably the best squad of runners in Penn State DuBois history. I couldn't be more proud of them," commented Coach Gordon. "They've made our team, program, campus, and communities very proud."
Both the men's and women's cross country teams will be competing at the United States Collegiate Athletic Association's (USCAA) Cross Country National Championships on Friday November 6, in Lakeland, FL; and like every other athlete who's achieved greatness, they'll be celebrating a day at Walt Disney World too.