When this year began, the Penn State women's cross country team vowed to make up for last year's season that saw the squad miss the NCAA Championships. Throughout the 2002 season, the Nittany Lions went into each race aiming to give 110 percent and redeem their reputations.

Thus, when the Lions competed yesterday in the 2002 NCAA Cross Country Championships, they showed the markings of a squad that had come full circle from last year's disappointments and laid the groundwork for an even brighter future.

While the Lions' 25th-place finish out of 31 teams may not seem impressive to outsiders, or to victor Brigham Young, the squad and its coach were over the moon about their results and effort this season.

"We had a great day today," Penn State women's cross country coach Beth Alford-Sullivan said. "The team ran very solid and showed some really good results. They had a really great performance overall."

Going into the race, the Lions' hopes rested on the shoulders of freshman Tracey Brauksieck. The highest finisher for the squad in each meet this season, Brauksieck finished second at the regionals meet and had hoped to make the All-American team. However, before the first mile mark of the race, Brauksieck tripped and fell, losing valuable time and ground.

Regardless, Brauksieck still finished an impressive 73rd, once again the highest finisher for the squad. The Lions also placed six other runners, including sophomores Molly Landreth and Michelle Wale at 105th and 107th respectively. Freshman Jenny Stevens placed 129th, while junior Katy Hillard finished 154th. Fellow juniors Tara Johnson and Maureen Thomas rounded out the scoring at 159th and 193rd, respectively.

"Tracey handled the pressure and the fall very well," Alford-Sullivan said. "She was really emotionally ready to go, and fell at the mile mark. She was stepped on and the pack was moving fast at that point, but she got up and finished well."

Overall, Alford-Sullivan and the squad remain very pleased about the season as a whole, and look forward to advancing through the NCAA ranks next year.

"I was really pleased with our year," Alford-Sullivan said. "At NCAAs, you roll the dice and see what happens, and we ended ranked and were ranked all season long. We set the stage for the future and made the most of the opportunities we were given."