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For Immediate Release
November 13, 2015


Suffolk Women's Cross Country National Champs!

Anchored by two runners finishing in the top ten, Suffolk County Community College won the 2015 NJCAA Division III Women's Cross Country Championship last Saturday. The Sharks clinched their program's second national title and first since 2007.

Freshman Ryleigh Donegan was the first Suffolk County student-athlete to cross the finish line, cracking the top five with a time of 19 minutes, 26.7 seconds. Coming in behind her teammate in sixth place was Sharks sophomore Leana Wiebelt, finishing with a time of 19:35.9.

Sophomore Kayla Clements completed the race in 20:06.3, contributing an 11th place finish to the Suffolk County effort. The Sharks other qualifying finishes came from freshman Menely Genao and sophomore Ashlee Rommeney. Genao's 20:33.3 performance earned 19th place, while Rommeney took 37th with a time of 21:24.2.

Suffolk County Community College Athletic Director Kevin Foley lauded the team and Coach Matt French. "Coach French has done a tremendous job rebuilding the Women’s and Men’s Cross Country teams, "Foley said.  "In two short years, through his leadership and dedication, Matt has lead Suffolk Cross Country and Track & Field into the national spotlight."

 "I and the entire college community are proud of our women's cross country team and the championship efforts of our scholar athletes and coaches," said Suffolk County Community College President Dr. Shaun L. McKay.


"The ladies handled the expectations from their number one ranking with tenacity and maturity, getting the job done on the day it counted. I am proud of both the women and the men. Definitely a standout season for each team," Coach Matt French said.


Name

Hometown

HS grad of:

Honors

Kayla Clements

Shirley

William Floyd

All-American (Honorable Mention)

Theresa DeFilippo

Patchogue

Patchogue-Medford

 

Nora DiMaria

Commack

Commack

 

Ryleigh Donegan

Center Moriches

Center Moriches

All-American (First-Team); USTFCCCA Northeast Region Women’s Athlete of the Year; Region XV Individual Champion

Haley Entenmann

Lake Ronkonkoma

Sachem North

 

Menely Genao

Port Jefferson Station

Comsewogue

 

Bridget Reiffert

Mastic

William Floyd

 

Ashlee Rommeney

Ronkonkoma

Sachem East

 

Stacey Sinkoff

Mt. Sinai

Mt. Sinai

 

Kristen Starke

Eastport

Mepham

 

Leana Wiebelt

East Setauket

Ward Melville

All-American (Second-Team)