Following a tiebreaker that resulted in a second-place finish for the Bison at the Patriot League Championships, the women’s cross country team took eighth place at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships on Nov. 14.

The women’s end of the season finish added to the highlights of their strong season, which include Katie Jessee ’15 being named the Patriot League Women’s Cross Country Scholar-Athlete of the Year and earning Academic All-Patriot League Team honors. The Bison finished with five runners finishing within the top 60. Jessee finished 40th, followed by teammates Montana DiPietrantonio ’15, Kate Scott ’17, and Deanna Godby ’16 who finished in 47th, 58th, and 60th places respectively.

It was especially eventful for Christine Bendzinski ’18 who finished in 27th place, just two spots away from earning all-region honors.

“I was just lucky to be feeling good on an important day. I’m so incredibly proud of our team and so grateful to be part of a group of such hardworking and determined ladies,” Bendzinski said. “Although this is only my first year, based on what coach has said this is our best cross country season we’ve had in a long time. We were looking for a top-10 finish, and we beat our ranking (which was ninth in the region). Our performance at Patriot Leagues was something that we’re even more proud of, seeing as we finished fourth last year.”

Bendzinski finished the 6k race in 21:22 and was the third-fastest runner from the Patriot League. Many have commented on the long and outstanding career Bendzinski is sure to have.

“Things usually go well when the team works together through the first half of the race. That’s pretty much our style, to go out as a pack and it makes things much easier when there are a bunch of orange jerseys near each other. Katie and I worked through the first half and after that it’s basically a free-for-all,” Bendzinksi said.

The race had 207 runners total, with winner Georgetown scoring 38 points, four points ahead of second-place West Virginia. The Bison women finished with 232 points, beating out both Navy and Rutgers.

“We are looking to use this season as a jumping off point for indoor and outdoor track this year, and to carry on the success as far into the future as possible,” Bendzinski said. “I am confident that our team can do anything we set our minds to in the coming seasons because we have great leaders and some very talented athletes who are willing to put in the extra mile that is necessary for success.”