ROCHESTER, N.Y. – All-Region performer Kelley Driscoll led the No. 32-ranked Plattsburgh State women’s cross country team to a seventh-place finish at the NCAA Atlantic Regional hosted by the University of Rochester on Saturday (Nov. 10).

Driscoll, who finished in 20^th place with a time of 22:38.5, was one of four Plattsburgh State runners that finished in the top 50 during the 6,000 meter run. St. Lawrence captured the team title, placing three runners in the top 10 and boasting the individual champion Amy Cymerman. Some 277 runners representing 39 teams took part in the regional run. The top 35 runners earned all-region accolades, and Driscoll earned her second all-region nod in as many years.

The Cardinals, though, were not alone in seventh place as the host institution, the University of Rochester, also amassed 232 team points during the event to put them in a tie with the Cardinals.

Freshman Emma Deshaies (23:08.3) and senior Colleen Coon (23:10.2) crossed the line 44^th and 45^th respectively while senior Amanda Schermerhorn posted a time of 23:18.2 en route to a 50^th place finish.

Sophomore Catherine Ehmann rounded out the contingent of point-producing Plattsburgh State runners, traversing the course in a time of 23:48.0 – good for a 73^rd place showing.

Although the Cardinals had yet another strong performance on the trails, their hopes to return to the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championship may have been diminished. After automatic bids to the championships are doled out to the top finishing teams, at-large bids are handed out. In a stacked region such as the Atlantic, however, bids of that particular configuration will certainly be at a premium.

“We ran really well today,” said head coach Andrew Krug. “I thought we had some great performances, but we just didn’t get the places we wanted. We have nothing to hang our heads about though.”

 If this is the final time the Cardinals take to the trails in 2012, it will cap off another strong year that saw them earn a runner-up finish at the SUNYAC Championships. During the event, Driscoll and Coon earned nods to the SUNYAC First and Second Teams respectively.

The Cardinals finished in the top ten of any event all but once – even then posting a 15^th place finish at the prestigious Paul Short Invitational.

Sunday (Nov. 11) will see the NCAA selection committee announce the field for the championship race which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 17, at the LaVern Gibson Course in Terre Haute, Ind.

Complete Results