WESTFIELD, Mass. – The Lesley University women's cross country team placed second overall in the 2015 New England Collegiate Conference Championship held today at Stanley Park in Westfield, Mass.

The Lynx finished with 59 total points, eight behind Wheelock College's 51 points as they claimed their first NECC title.

Lynx sophomore Kelly Lynch (Topsham, Maine) powered the Lynx as she covered the 5k course in 20:45. The time was fast enough to earn a fourth place overall finish and earn a spot on the NECC First Team.

Freshman Nicole Footer (Lewiston, Maine) followed Lynch and posted a top-ten finish of her own with a career-best time of 21:26 and earned NECC Second Team honors. Senior Emilia McGrath (Bowdoin, Maine) followed closely behind Footer as she crossed at 21:42.

Junior Abby Coppinger (Moultonborough, N.H.) and freshman Kimberly Arlen (Manchester, N.H.) crossed at 22:15 and 22:30, respectively, while first year Karina Buruca (Cambridge, Mass.) finished at 22:43.

Junior Sydney Altschuler (Durham, Conn.) posted a time of 23:45 and sophomore Sarah Campisi (Saco, Maine) followed at 25:02. Senior Rachel Asam (Coeymans Hollow, N.Y.) wrapped the day up for the Lynx with a time of 26:21.

Asam was placed on the inaugural NECC All-Sportsmanship Team.

Wheelock freshman Gina Powell (Granby, Mass.) earned NECC Rookie and Runner of the Year honors as she was the first to cross the line at 19:48.

2015 NECC Women's Cross Country Runner of the Year
Gina Powell (Fr.) – Wheelock College

2015 NECC Women's Cross Country Rookie of the Year
Gina Powell (Fr.) – Wheelock College

2015 NECC Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year
Wole Oke – Wheelock College

2015 All-NECC Women's Cross Country First Team
1st – Gina Powell (Fr.) Wheelock College: 19:48
2nd – Shelby Whitman (Jr.) Southern Vermont College: 20:17
3rd – Annika Kristiansen (So.) Southern Vermont College: 20:23
4th – Kelly Lynch (So.) Lesley University: 20:45
5th – Natasha Olanyk (Fr.) Wheelock College: 20:51

2015 All-NECC Women's Cross Country Second Team
6th – Andrea O'Hearn (Fr.) Regis College: 21:03
7th – Sarah Tatgenhorst (So.) Elms College: 21:03
8th – Siobhan McLaughlin (Jr.) Regis College: 21:21
9th – Schyler McGuire (Jr.) Southern Vermont College: 21:23
10th – Nicole Footer (Fr.) Lesley University: 21:26

2015 NECC Women's Cross Country All-Sportsmanship Team
Mika Schneider (Jr.) – Bay Path University
Jacqueline Quetti (Sr.) – Elms College
Rachel Asam (Jr.) – Lesley University
Caelin Hetherman (Fr.) – Mitchell College
Katelyn Roeser (So.) – Newbury College
Rachel Wood (Sr.) – Regis College
Shelby Whitman (Jr.) – Southern Vermont College
Kara Shipkin (Sr.) – Wheelock College