2004 Women's Cross Country Preview

Aug. 12, 2004

The Providence College team entered the 2003 NCAA Championships ranked eighth in the nation, but surprised many when the Friars finished third. Last season's success has brought excitement this season as Providence will be aiming for its second national title. Senior All-American Kim Smith (Auckland, New Zealand) finished second overall at the NCAA's last season, but is poised to capture the individual title in 2004. The 2003 NCAA Cross Country Championship was the only NCAA race she did not capture as she won three NCAA Track titles. Smith won five of the seven events last season and recorded two second-place finishes. Among her five victories, included the Roy Griak Invitational, the BIG EAST Championship and the Northeast Regional Championship. She is one of the top runners ever to compete at PC. Classmate Mary Cullen (Sligo, Ireland) also had a stellar season in 2003. She placed fifth overall to earn All-America honors for the second consecutive season. The Friars were the only team to have two runners finish in the top five at the NCAA's. Cullen captured the Boston College Select Meet and had four second-place finishes. Cullen was injured at the end of the indoor season and is expected to be fully recovered for the cross country season. Deirdre Byrne (Wicklow, Ireland), also a senior, enjoyed her best season at Providence in 2003. She competed in her third consecutive NCAA Championship and finished in a personal-best 41st-place. Junior Fiona Crombie (Christchurch, New Zealand) competed in her first cross country season and she was impressive. She was a 53rd-place finisher at the NCAA Championships, an eighth-place finisher at the NCAA Northeast Regional Championships and finished 21st at the BIG EAST Championships. Classmate Jane Nalder (Wellington, New Zealand) will be running in her first cross country season at Providence. She joined the Friar squad in January and earned All-BIG EAST honors as she finished second in the 3,000-meter steeplechase during the outdoor track season. Senior Katie Twarog (Albany, N.Y.) made a strong impact on the team last season. She competed at the NCAA's for the first time in her career and is expected to continue to improve. She finished 47th at the NCAA Northeast Regional and 54th at the BIG EAST Championships. Senior Roisin Quinn (Waterford, Ireland) and junior Ashley Jensen (Lincoln, R.I.) will add depth to the team. Quinn brings experience to the team as she competed at the 2002 NCAA's. Last season, she competed in five events, including the BIG EAST Championship and the Roy Griak Invitational. Jensen competed in all seven meets last season, including her first NCAA Championship. Michelle Childs (Cameron, Ontario), Mary Nelle Trefz (Iowa City, Iowa), Katherine Breaux (South Windsor, Conn.) and Ashley Hughes (Phoenix, N.Y.) also are expected to make an immediate impact for the Friars. Head Coach Ray Treacy's squad will be strong and if the team stays healthy, it will be a strong national title contender.

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

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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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