CROSS COUNTRY

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BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo women's cross country squad presented its team awards for the 2000 season at the annual Athletic Awards Banquet held at Samuel's Grande Manor.

Head coach Dick Barry made the following presentations: Hollie Rhodes (Elmira, NY/Elmira Southside) was selected as the Top Newcomer; Melissa Burrows (Norwood, NY/Norwood- Norfolk) earned the Most Improved Player Award; Lisa Luce (Varysburg, NY/Attica) received the Coach's Award; and Eileen Rose (Latham, NY/Shaker) was named the team's Most Valuable Player.

The Top Newcomer Award is presented to the individual student- athlete who distinguishes herself as the most talented new player on the team or the individual who accomplishes the greatest achievements as a first-year player. Rhodes competed in eight races for the Bulls in 2000. Her top 5000-meter time for the season was 19:46 set at the Western Ontario Invitational on September 22.

The Most Improved Player Award is presented to the student- athlete who has made the greatest stride or improvement in her performance from the previous season or from the beginning of the season to the end of the season. Burrows raced in eight events and was the Bulls' top finisher in three races, including the Mid-American Conference Championships and the NCAA Northeast Regional Meet. She turned in a season-best time of 18:31 for the 5K course at the MAC Championships on October 28th, where she placed 39th among 100 runners. She also placed 81st in a field of 229 entrants in 22:37.5 at the NCAA Northeast Regional Meet on November 11.

The Coach's Award is selected by the head coach and is given to the student-athlete who best exemplifies the team virtues as defined by the head coach. The recipient is one who stands out in dedication, commitment, unselfishness and enthusiasm towards helping the team improve. Luce participated in eight races for the Bulls. She turned in her top 5K time of 19:02 at the MAC Championships.

The Most Valuable Player Award is given to the student-athlete who makes the most significant contribution to the accomplishments of the team through her skills and leadership. Rose competed in eight races and was UB's top finisher in four. She lowered her 5K time three times during the season with her best clocking being 18:40 at the MAC Championships. Rose ran a 19:20.1 in the September 9 meet against Daemen, turning in the fastest time of the race.

The Bulls completed their season with a 1-0 record, defeating Daemen in the season-opener, 15-50, on September 9 in their only dual meet. The remainder of the Bulls' schedule consisted of invitational meets with four or more teams participating and not counting toward the team's dual meet mark. UB placed 11th at the Mid-American Conference Championships in Kalamazoo, MI and 15th at the NCAA Northeast Regional Meet.