The Eagle harriers opened the season by competing in several invitational meets, picking up a second place finish at the Lebanon Valley College Invitational, and then capturing first place at the Roanoke College Invitational. Consistently leading the way were juniors Ann Tripp and Cristy Falcone, as well as senior Julia Rothlisberger. Mary Naylor, Kerry Carfagno, and Nina Pfeiffer also placed well for the Eagles in the early meets of the season.

 

Coach Soper's squad then participated in the prestigious Paul Short Invitational at Lehigh University, finishing sixth among 25 schools, with Tripp, Falcone, Rothlisberger and senior Allison Hazlett leading the team. Despite the absence of Hazlett and Pfeiffer, the team finished sixth at Gettysburg the following week. The team participated in limited numbers at the Elizabethtown College Invitational, using the meet as a final tune-up prior to the conference and regional championships.

 

At the CAC Championships, UMW welcomed back Hazlett and Pfeiffer from injuries, helping the team to a second place finish. Tripp, Hazlett, Falcone, and Rothlisberger were named to the all-conference squad as a result of their top-15 finishes. The Eagles closed the season in team competition at the NCAA South Regional Championships in Atlanta, Ga., finishing tied for third place among 21 teams, just missing out on a team NCAA bid. Tripp led the UMW contingent at the NCAA regional, finishing in eighth place, with Hazlett finishing 13th. Falcone took 15th place, and Rothlisberger was 20th to gain all-region honors.

 

Tripp and Hazlett advanced to the NCAA national championships the following week, marking the first time since 2001 that the Eagles had two competitors at the championships.