The NCAA News - News and Features

The NCAA News -- December 7, 1998

Grizzlies run to seventh consecutive crown in women's meet

Having lost two of its top three runners from its 1997 championship team to graduation, this could have been the year that Adams State's dominance at the Division II Women's Cross Country Championships came to an end.

It wasn't.

Showcasing what seems to be an endless line of talented runners, Adams State secured three of the top eight team places to win its seventh consecutive title November 23 at Kansas.

Compiling 56 points, coach Damon Martin's Grizzlies outdistanced in-state rival and runner-up Western State (79 points) for the second consecutive year and fifth time in seven years.

Kimberly Bugg led the way for Adams State, winning the Grizzlies' second consecutive individual crown.

The championships were held concurrently with the Division I event for the first time with Emporia State hosting the Division II events and Kansas serving as host of the Division I races.

Adams State, which has claimed eight consecutive national titles, has claimed every Division II title since joining the NCAA in 1992. The Grizzlies also won the 1991 NAIA title.

Shippensburg totaled 137 points to earn a team-best third-place showing, while UC Davis and Edinboro rounded out the top five. UC Davis participated in its record 18th consecutive championships.

The Grizzlies' seven-year reign is the longest active streak among Division II sports and is the second longest in the championships' history to Cal Poly's 10 (1982-91).

Adams State's men's team also won the title, marking the fourth time that the school has swept the championships.

Bugg, who placed sixth overall at the 1997 championships, joined Denise Summers (1996) as the only Adams State competitors to win the individual title. A senior, Bugg covered the 6,000-meter course in 21 minutes, 43 seconds, outdistancing runner-up Sonia Eudy of Missouri Southern State by more than five seconds (21:48.30).

Joining Bugg at the head of the Grizzlies' pack were Sarah Parkey and Stephanie Milam, the third- and 11th-place overall finishers, respectively. Parkey, a sophomore, posted a time of 21:58.40, while Milam concluded her collegiate career by breaking the tape in 22:10.60.

Junior Melissa Bouren and freshman Kimberly Bosen accounted for the final two Grizzlies' scoring places, garnering the 23rd and 34th places overall, respectively.

Western State, which has placed second or third at the last seven events, earned three of the top 12 team places.

Jennifer Michel, Liz Robles and Jodi Day paced Western State, registering the ninth, 15th and 16th places overall, respectively.