Bates College

In her final cross country race, senior captain Sarah Fusco led the only Bates women's team that competed last week to eighth place among 48 teams on Saturday at the ECAC Division III Championships in Westfield, Mass.

With some of its top runners taking the week off from racing in preparation for next weekend's NCAA Regionals, the team co-captain stepped up. Although a four-year member of the cross country team, the sport doesn't represent the forte of the two-time All-American, a middle-distance specialist.

Fusco (Cheshire, Conn.) finished 35th among 338 runners overall, covering the 6-kilometer course at Stanley Park in 23:35.44. First-year Courtney Porfido (Ramsey, N.J.), sophomore Ashley Pollack (Port Washington, N.Y.) and junior Ellie Miller (Potomac, Md.) finished in a pack at 62nd, 63rd and 65th overall, in 24:15.59, 24:17.55 and 24:21.56. Junior Julia Fisher (Philadelphia, Pa.) was close behind in 73rd (24:27.73) to round out the team's scoring.

The NCAA Regionals, also known as the New England Division III Championships, get started next Saturday, Nov. 15, at 12:30 p.m. at Mt. Greylock High School in Williamstown, Mass., hosted by Williams College.