COLFAX, Wis. - After tying at the 2004 NESCAC Championships and battling as the top two women’s cross country teams nationally since 2000, Williams College defeated reigning National Champion Middlebury College in the NCAA Division III National Championships on November 20. Middlebury had edged out Williams in the New England qualifier the week before but then was defeated, 110-129, in the Championship.

Colby College placed fifth in the team championship, followed by Amherst College (12th) and Wesleyan University (14th).

NESCAC women had a strong showing nationally with five runners placing in the top seven at the Championships. Senior Jenn Campbell and teammate junior Caroline Cretti, the 2004 NESCAC Champion, led Williams to the national title placing third (21:25.3) and fourth (21:26.5) respectively. Senior Carter Hamill of Amherst College clocked in at 21:34.4 finishing fifth. She was followed by Jessica Manzer (6th, 21:46.8) and Marisa Cawley (7th, 22:01.5) from Middlebury.

On the men’s side, Williams junior Neal Holtschulte, the two-time reigning NESCAC Champion, placed second with a time of 24:41.8. Calvin College became National Champions for the second straight year while Tufts University placed sixth, Williams was ninth and Bates was 19th.