2003 Women's Cross Country Preview

July 29, 2003

Last season, the Providence College women's cross country team finished sixth at the NCAA Championship, the team's best finish since 1997. Despite their success in 2002, Head Coach Ray Treacy believes the team has the potential to be stronger in 2003.

Although Providence lost Roisin McGettigan (Wicklow, Ireland) to graduation, the Friars will have an exceptional team, led by juniors Mary Cullen (Sligo, Ireland) and Kimberly Smith (Auckland, New Zealand) who will be the frontrunners for the Friars.

Cullen was the highest finisher for the Friars at the NCAA Cross Country Championship last season. Cullen placed 28th overall (20:26) and earned All-American accolades. She became the 100th All-American to be coached by Ray Treacy. In addition, Cullen had six top-10 finishes, including placing fourth at the NCAA Regional Championship (20:57), sixth at the BIG EAST Championships (20:40) and seventh at the Roy Griak Invitational (21:21).

Smith begins her first season with the Friars and will make an immediate impact on the team. Smith, a native of New Zealand, competed at the World Cross County Championships in 2002 (Ireland) and 2003 (Switzerland). She's a contender for the BIG EAST title and could finish in the top five at the NCAA's.

Coach Treacy also will rely on sophomore Fiona Crombie (Christchurch, New Zealand) and junior Deirdre Byrne (Avoca, Ireland).

Byrne competed in her second consecutive NCAA Championship last season and finished 71st (21:01), the fourth best finish among Friar runners. She also finished 23rd overall at the NCAA Regional Championship (21:49).

Crombie will be running in her first season with the Friar cross country team. Crombie competed with the indoor and outdoor team and will be a strong addition to the cross country squad this season.

Senior Lisa Cappello (Lockport, N.Y.) is coming off a strong junior season and will add senior leadership to the team. Cappello finished 176th overall at the NCAA Championship (21:53) and 29th at the NCAA Northeast Regional (21:55).

Junior Roisin Quinn (Waterford, Ireland), sophomore Ashley Jensen (Lincoln, R.I.) and junior Katie Twarog (Albany, N.Y.) will add more depth to the team.

Quinn competed in her first NCAA Championship last season and finished 249th (23:23).

Jensen gained experience last season and will look to continue to improve in 2003. She finished 76th at the BIG EAST Championships (23:42).

Twarog saw limited action last season, but she will be looking to make more of an impact in 2003.

Coach Treacy believes that if everyone stays healthy, the team has the potential to win the BIG EAST Championship and be in the top five at the NCAA's. Providence has a strong group of runners, led by Cullen and Smith, who will contend for the BIG EAST individual title and top-10 finishes at the NCAA's. The Friars compete in the top conference in the country as Providence was one of four BIG EAST schools to finish in the top eight at the NCAA Championship in 2002.

Completed Event: Women's Cross Country versus Friar Invitational on September 5, 2025 ,

Completed Event: Women's Cross Country at Sean Earl Loyola Lakefront Invitational on October 3, 2025 ,

Completed Event: Women's Cross Country at New England Championship on October 10, 2025 ,

Completed Event: Women's Cross Country at Nuttycombe Invitational on October 17, 2025 ,

Completed Event: Women's Cross Country at Rothenberg Run on October 24, 2025 ,

Completed Event: Women's Cross Country at BIG EAST Championship on October 31, 2025 ,

Upcoming Event: Women's Cross Country at NCAA Northeast Regional on November 14, 2025

Upcoming Event: Women's Cross Country at NCAA Championship on November 22, 2025

Providence College Athletics

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