CROSS COUNTRY

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BUFFALO, NY ­ The University at Buffalo women's cross country squad presented its team awards for the 2001 season at the annual Athletic Awards Banquet held at Samuel's Grande Manor.

Head coach Dick Barry made the following presentations: Jenny Koeppel (Snyder, NY/Amherst) was selected as the Top Newcomer; Jessica Moldovan (Warren, PA/Warren Area) earned the Most Improved Player Award; Hollie Rhodes (Elmira, NY/Elmira Southside) received the Coach's Award; and Melissa Burrows (Norwood, NY/Norwood-Norfolk) was named the team's Most Valuable Player.

Jenny Koeppel

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. Koeppel raced in six events last season. Her top time was at the UB Invitational with a 5,000-meter clocking of 19:40.1, placing her third among 26 entrants.

Jessica Moldovan

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. Moldovan participated in all seven races, finishing second at the UB Invitational in her best 5K time of 19:26.4.

Hollie Rhodes

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. Rhodes, selected as the Top Newcomer in 2000, participated in two meets in 2001. She finished 12th at the UB Invitational on October 12 in 21:24.4 and clocked a 21:38.6 at the MAC Championships two weeks later. Both were 5K distances.

Melissa Burrows

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. Burrows was UB's top finisher in all seven meets last season. The team's Most Improved in 2000, Burrows turned in a top 5K mark of 18:54 and finished 10th among 104 runners at the Western Ontario Invitational on September 21. She also finished second in 19:28.32 among 70 entrants at the Red Flash Invitational. Burrows also took first place at the UB Invitational at 19:21.4 for the 5K course. She concluded the season by taking 63rd place among 241 runners at the NCAA Northeast Regional Meet, finishing the 6K course in 22:20.80.

The Bulls completed their season with an 8-3 overall record and was 0-2 in MAC dual meets. UB placed 11th at the Mid-American Conference Championships in Ypsilanti, MI and 15th at the NCAA Northeast Regional Meet.