Middlebury runners picked their way through a crowded field on an unseasonably warm day in southern Indiana to capture the Panthers' third Division III Women's Cross Country Championships team title in four years.

The Panthers were the only team able to place three runners among the top 25 individual scorers and five runners among the top 50 scorers during a sunny day with temperatures in the mid-60s November 22 at Hanover's L.S. Ayers Athletic Complex. Middlebury's score of 135 points is the second-highest winning total in 23 years of Division III women's competition, trailing only Cortland State's 148 points in 1997.

Middlebury was joined by three other New England Small College Athletic Conference representatives as top-five team finishers. Only Wisconsin-Stevens Point's third-place finish prevented a sweep of the top spots by NESCAC schools, including runner-up Trinity (Connecticut), which finished 39 points behind the Panthers; defending-champion Williams, which finished fourth without injured sophomore standout Caroline Cretti; and fifth-place Amherst, which placed two runners (junior Carter Hamill and freshman Shauneen Garrahan) among the top five individual scorers.

The race for individual honors again was dominated by Missy Buttry of Wartburg, who in her junior season becomes the first Division III women's repeat champion since Wisconsin-La Crosse's Tori Neubauer in 1981 and 1982. Buttry just missed (by two-tenths of a second) breaking the 20-minute mark on the 6,000-meter course and managed to improve on her impressive margin of victory in last year's race, finishing more than a minute ahead of runner-up Liz Woodworth of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Buttry won last year's race by just under a minute.

She also combined with Wartburg's Josh Moen, victor in the Division III men's individual competition, to become the first pair of runners from the same school to sweep the individual titles.

The highest individual finisher among the top five teams (Amherst's Hamill) ran more than 2¹/2 minutes behind Buttry, and many of the scorers from those teams found themselves in a pack about four and a half to five minutes behind the champion.

Middlebury's Jess Manzer was the only Panther able to finish in the top 10 individually, but freshman Andrea Giddings and senior Molly Yazwinski crossed the finish line side-by-side about 1:16 behind Manzer to place 21st and 22nd, respectively, among team scorers. Freshmen Erin Archard and Stephanie Nugent finished about half a minute behind that pair to finish 42nd and 46th, respectively, among scorers and clinch the victory.

The Panthers now have finished in the top two for five straight years, including second-place finishes in 1999 and last year.

"We felt a lot of pressure coming into this race, having been ranked No. 1 nationally for most of the season," Middlebury coach Terry Aldrich said. "To have (the team) respond to that kind of pressure and come through with the championship was really something."

Team results

1. Middlebury, 135; 2. Trinity (Conn.), 174; 3. Wis.-Stevens Point, 193; 4. Williams, 206; 5. Amherst, 225; 6. Dickinson, 257; 7. Wis.-La Crosse, 263; 8. Willamette, 269; 9. TCNJ, 281; 10. Neb. Wesleyan, 307; 11. Wis.-Oshkosh, 311; 12. Gust. Adolphus, 314; 13. Allegheny, 325; 14. Wartburg, 334; 15. (tie) Calvin and Haverford, 341; 17. Ithaca, 347; 18. Chicago, 353; 19. Bowdoin, 392; 20. Mount Union, 401; 21. Emory, 454; 22. Geneseo St., 456; 23. St. Lawrence, 494; 24. Otterbein, 513.

Individual results

1. Missy Buttry, Wartburg, 20:00.2; 2. Liz Woodworth, Wis.-Oshkosh, 21:03.3; 3. Kathleen Brice, Elmhurst, 21:23.2; 4. Carter Hamill, Amherst, 21:40.8; 5. Kristin Igielski, Carroll (Wis.), 21:44.5; 6. Amy Aleshire, Principia, 22:08.7; 7. Jess Manzer, Middlebury, 22:11.7; 8. Phyllis Tuggle, Agnes Scott, 22:13.6; 9. Laura Matsen, Whitman, 22:14.7; 10. Shauneen Garrahan, Amherst, 22:15.6.

11. Gina Morgan, Neb. Wesleyan, 22:17.9; 12. Callie Bradley, Dickinson, 22:20.0; 13. Sarah Hastings, Calvin, 22:21.2; 14. Leslie Nelson, Whitworth, 22:24.3; 15. Jessie Lair, Calvin, 22:24.6; 16. Neoma Palmer, Bowdoin, 22:29.3; 17. Jenn Campbell, Williams, 22:29.7; 18. Elizabeth Brown, Trinity (Conn.), 22:31.5; 19. Shannon McConville, John Carroll, 22:33.0; 20. Jane Steinemann, Haverford, 22:34.8.

21. Betsy Schultz, Cortland St., 22:35.7; 22. Elaine Binkley, Denison, 22:39.5; 23. Beth Vesey, TCNJ, 22:39.6; 24. Kari Holbert, Willamette, 22:41.1; 25. Angela Jacquez, Claremont-M-S, 22:41.7; 26. Julia Rudd, Wis.-La Crosse, 22:43.9; 27. Erin Steiner, Chicago, 22:44.2; 28. Jackie Mulrooney, Wis.-Platteville, 22:44.9; 29. Gina Lucrezi, DeSales, 22:49.1; 30. Susan McWilliams, Oswego St., 22:52.2.

31. Julie Hufnagel, Denison, 22:53.7; 32. Shannon Sodano, New York U., 22:55.5; 33. Emily Hulme, Dickinson, 22:58.2; 34. Melissa St. Clair, Elizabethtown, 22:58.7; 35. Eileen Schilling, Centre, 22:59.8; 36. Amy Bower, Misericordia, 23:00.1; 37. Leah Herlache, Wis.-Stevens Point, 23:00.5; 38. Jenna Mitchler, Wis.-Stevens Point, 23:00.6; 39. Robyn Burns, Franklin, 23:01.1; 40. Andrea Giddings, Middlebury, 23:06.1.

41. Molly Yazwinski, Middlebury, 23:08.0; 42. Jessica Winter, Chicago, 23:08.8; 43. Karen Roy, Trinity (Conn.), 23:10.8; 44. Jen Skalko, Gust. Adolphus, 23:11.6; 45. Nichole Petersen, Gust. Adolphus, 23:11.9; 46. Teresa Stanley, Wis.-Stevens Point, 23:13.6; 47. Natalie Shaffer, DePauw, 23:14.0; 48. Erin Cahill, TCNJ, 23:15.7; 49. Natalie Retrum, Luther, 23:16.2; 50. Leigh Ciofani, Allegheny, 23:16.6.

51. Sarah Alaei, Claremont-M-S, 23:16.7; 52. Natalie Muren, Willamette, 23:18.1; 53. Stacey Muchal, Marywood, 23:18.8; 54. Danya Rumore, Willamette, 23:19.7; 55. Ellen Beth, Bowdoin, 23:20.1; 56. Amanda Laytham, Ithaca, 23:20.5; 57. Bridgette Pilling, Ithaca, 23:21.0; 58. Amy DiBianca, Emory, 23:22.1; 59. Heather Lindenman, Williams, 23:22.2; 60. Maureen McGeehin, New York U., 23:23.0.

61. Kristina DePeau, Trinity (Conn.), 23:23.0; 62. Christina Kane, Trinity (Conn.), 23:25.5; 63. Meghan Young, Springfield, 23:26.3; 64. Amy Barr, St. Lawrence, 23:26.5; 65. Christy Ecklund, Brockport St., 23:27.6; 66. Becky Ray, Wis.-La Crosse, 23:28.5; 67. Margaret Davis, Wesleyan (Conn.), 23:28.8; 68. Amy Belleba, Wis.-La Crosse, 23:29.3; 69. Erin Archard, Middlebury, 23:30.0; 70. Aly Venti, Amherst, 23:30.6.

71. Lauren Caputo, Tufts, 23:33.3; 72. Leah Shouey, Allegheny, 23:33.7; 73. Katie Croker, Wartburg, 23:34.3; 74. Stephanie Nugent, Middlebury, 23:34.3; 75. Kristen Koelling, Mount Union, 23:34.7; 76. Eve Besant, Williams, 23:35.6; 77. Marta Scott, Geneseo St., 23:36.5; 78. Jamie Bagatti, Gettysburg, 23:38.1; 79. Jesi Christiansen, Wheaton (Ill.), 23:38.6; 80. Tracy Bassett, Wellesley, 23:38.9.

81. Maxine Markfield, Haverford, 23:39.7; 82. Kim Allen, Otterbein, 23:40.8; 83. Camille Medema, Calvin, 23:41.6; 84. Angela Davie, Emory, 23:42.3; 85. Emily Steinhafel, Wis.-Oshkosh, 23:42.7; 86. Gretchen Chick, Brandeis, 23:42.8; 87. Maggie Grabow, Washington (Mo.), 23:42.8; 88. Maya Kessler, Williams, 23:43.5; 89. Michelle Rorke, Williams, 23:43.7; 90. Joanna Zieno, Geneseo St., 23:45.8.

91. Abigail Fergusson, Dickinson, 23:46.3; 92. Amanda Kuca, Corcordia (Wis.), 23:46.8; 93. Kate Steklachich, Mount Union, 23:47.5; 94. Lindsay Scarborough, TCNJ, 23:48.4; 95. Megan Craig, Wis.-Stevens Point, 23:48.7; 96. Ellie Fernandez, John Carroll, 23:49.2; 97. Kali Moody, Williams, 23:50.0; 98. Jaclyn Kupper, Trinity (Conn.), 23:50.5; 99. Kelly Yacevich, Neb. Wesleyan, 23:50.9; 100. Prentiss Clark, Haverford, 23:51.0.

101. Ashleigh Potuznik, Wis.-Stevens Point, 23:51.1; 102. Erinn White, Amherst, 23:51.5; 103. Kristy Giljohann, Wis.-Oshkosh, 23:51.7; 104. Ali Cordie, Gust. Adolphus, 23:52.7; 105. Anastasia Kasianchuk, Ithaca, 23:52.8; 106. Molly Phimister, Willamette, 23:53.3; 107. Chelsea Benson, Allegheny, 23:53.4; 108. Meagan Herlache, Wis.-La Crosse, 23:53.4; 109. Kami Long, Neb. Wesleyan, 23:54.1; 110. Katherine Creswell, Bates, 23:54.2.

111. Katie Isermann, Wis.-Oshkosh, 23:56.3; 112. Jill Robertson, Wartburg, 23:56.8; 113. Caleigh Barker, Neb. Wesleyan, 23:57.5; 114. Tasha Pike, Gust. Adolphus, 23:58.0; 115. Annie Scogin, Dickinson, 23:58.7; 116. Jenny Jorvig, Middlebury, 24:00.5; 117. Elena Hoellein, Mount Union, 24:00.5; 118. Dara Ford, Mount Union, 24:00.9; 119. Dilshanie Perera, Chicago, 24:01.0; 120. Maureen Copeland, Allegheny, 24:01.3.

121. Amy Davin, Otterbein, 24:01.7; 122. Kaela Fisher, Neb. Wesleyan, 24:02.1; 123. Susanne Swanson, Neb. Wesleyan, 24:02.5; 124. Kelly Owens, Geneseo St., 24:03.3; 125. Kara Horner, TCNJ, 24:03.3; 126. Christine Nystrom, TCNJ, 24:04.6; 127. Hilary Evans, Trinity (Conn.), 24:06.8; 128. Courtney Quirin, Wesleyan (Conn.), 24:08.2; 129. Jenna Fasulo, TCNJ, 24:08.8; 130. Abby Kohlman, Wis.-La Crosse, 24.09.5.

131. Dorothy Boone, Emory, 24:09.6; 132. Kirsten Lind, Dickinson, 24:11.1; 133. Lindsey Shouey, Allegheny, 24:12.4; 134. Aimee Gibbs, Chris. Newport, 24:12.5; 135. Heidi Spalholz, Rochester Inst., 24:13.5; 136. Kerry Banazek, St. Lawrence, 24:13.5; 137. Gabriele Russo, Dickinson, 24:14.2; 138. Susan Meyer, Ithaca, 24:15.5; 139. Claire Fawcett, Haverford, 24:16.0; 140. Emily Kay, Chicago, 24:16.2.

141. Meghan Randolph, Otterbein, 24:17.6; 142. Liz Ericson, Wartburg, 24:18.2; 143. Brigid Power, St. Thomas (Minn.), 24:19.7; 144. Marie Brandewiede, Rhodes, 145. Karen Jordan, Keene St., 24:20.1; 146. Isabelle Delannay, Wis.-Stevens Point, 24:21.0; 147. Allison Baumler, Dickinson, 24:22.0; 148. Tora Olafsen, St. Lawrence, 24:22.7; 149. Helen Dole, Amherst, 24:23.6; 150. Livy Lewis, Bowdoin, 24:24.7.

151. Brooke Ferguson, Wartburg, 24:24.8; 152. Elizabeth Ludovici, St. Lawrence, 24:25.2; 153. Lindsay Dalpiaz, Ithaca, 24:25.6; 154. Kelly Crivello, Wis.-Oshkosh, 24:26.2; 155. Clara Sheets, Haverford, 24:26.7; 156. Erin Manning, Emory, 24:26.8; 157. Erin Blum, Wis.-Oshkosh, 24:26.9; 158. Mollie Lager, Gust. Adolphus, 24:29.6; 159. Scarlett Graham, Allegheny, 24:29.6; 160. Kristina Miner, Trinity (Conn.), 24:29.6.

161. Kristen Brownell, Bowdoin, 24:31.2; 162. Jennifer Zucaro, TCNJ, 24:33.7; 163. Krista Nelson, Luther, 24:34.6; 164. Kara Krebs, Ithaca, 24:35.6; 165. Katie Pierce, Willamette, 24:39.6; 166. Kala Hardacker, Bowdoin, 24:42.2; 167. Beth Medinger, Wis.-La Crosse, 24:44.0; 168. Amy Lyons, Bethel (Minn.), 24:44.1; 169. Fran Magri, Geneseo St., 24:44.8; 170. Tami Vermeulen, Calvin, 24:45.0.

171. Ashley Sabin, Neb. Wesleyan, 24:45.2; 172. Katie Landry, Bowdoin, 24:50.6; 173. Darcy Flora, Chicago, 24:51.6; 174. Jackie Munoz, Wis.-Oshkosh, 24:53.0; 175. Julie Mocadlo, Wis.-La Crosse, 24:55.3; 176. Kelly Hammond, Mount Union, 24:55.6; 177. Jodie Schoppmann, Postdam St., 24:57.4; 178. Annie Sanders, Chicago, 24:58.7; 179. Jenny Horowitz, Amherst, 25:01.4; 180. Kara Vosters, Wis.-Stevens Point, 25:09.2.

181. Jennifer Lynch, Otterbein, 25:10.7; 182. Christy Finke, Geneseo St., 25:11.1; 183. Rachel Schwingler, Gust. Adolphus, 25:15.5; 184. Melinda Keesee, Otterbein, 25:15.7; 185. Cathy Thompson, Otterbein, 25:17.0; 186. Anastasia Mukhina, Haveford, 25:19.5; 187. Amanda Fix, St. Lawrence, 25:20.2; 188. Audra Caler, Bowdoin, 25:26.1; 189. Sara Roberts, Allegheny, 25:27.6; 190. Erin McCauley, Mount Union, 25:28.8.

191. Laura Holtrop, Calvin, 25:29.4; 192. Lauren Sherwood, Willamette, 25:30.8; 193. Bridget Coon, St. Lawrence, 25:33.2; 194. Melissa Glotzbecker, St. Lawrence, 25:33.9; 195. Carrie Gregory, Geneseo St., 25:39.1; 196. Hannah Benton, Chicago, 25:39.1; 197. Ginger Polich, Amherst, 25:47.2; 198. Clare Eshenour, Haverford, 25:48.0; 199. Jill Wagaman, Wartburg, 25:55.5; 200. Kristen Meadows, Mount Union, 25:57.4.

201. Jen Walter, Calvin, 26:05.8; 202. Kristen Cravotta, Ithaca, 26:11.6; 203. Jennifer Cronin, Emory, 26:33.1; 204. Emily Hoyt, Emory, 26:41.6; 205. Jenna Boerboom, Coe, 26:59.0; 206. Jamie Levy, Otterbein, 27:13.1.