November 14, 2013

ATLANTA, Ga. - The GSAC announced the women's cross country postseason award winners and Salem College dominated the awards. The Spirits earned five of the six all-conference awards, and one of the two all-freshmen awards.  Salem was lead by Natali Olveda (Salinas, CA) and Stephanie Verdi (High Point, NC), who each finished first for the Spirits three times.

2013 GSAC Women's Cross Country All-Conference Team

Maria Vaughan – Fr., Pine Manor College

Maria's 5k times: 28:24; 24:14; 26:05; 24:51. Maria was the top finisher for the Gators in each of Pine Manor's races this season. The freshman from Okinawa, Japan posted her best time of the season, 24:14, at the Rivier Invitational on 9/27/13. Her best overall finish came in the Gators' final dual meet of the season when she finished first overall in a narrow 25-30 loss to Mount Ida.

Natalie Olveda - Sr., Salem

Natali's 5k times: 21:03,19:24, 20:56, 20:57, 23:03, 20:51.　 She was the top finisher for Salem in 3 of 6 races and had 4 top 10 finishes. She broke the six year old Salem College 5k record at the Catawba College Invitational with a time of 19:24.　 She also won the St. Andrews Invitational 5k.

Stephanie Verdi - Jr., Salem

Stephanie's 5k times: 21:28,19:35,21:04, 20:42, 22:43, 20:44. She was the top finisher for Salem in 3 of 6 races, had 3 top 10 finishes.  She was the runner-up DIII participant at the ESPN Walt Disney World Classic and was the third DIII participant to cross the finish-line at the Greensboro Invitational.

Cristi Magracia - Jr., Salem

Cristi's 5k times: 22:23, 20:18, 21:44, 21:22, 23:55, 21:46.  She was Salem's third best runner the entire season. She had 2 top 10 finishes. 

AJ Wierda - So., Salem

AJ's 5k times: 23:17, 21:02, 22:32, 22:22, 24:27, 23:13.  She is a first time cross country runner and was Salem's fourth best runner the entire season.

Tali Schroeder - Jr., Salem

Tali's 5k times: 23:19, 21:19, 22:34, 22:55, 25:48, 24:03.  She was our fifth best runner the entire season.  Tali took over 2:00's off her average time from last year.

2013 GSAC Women's Cross Country All-Freshman Team

Maria Vaughan – Fr., Pine Manor College

Maria's 5k times: 28:24; 24:14; 26:05; 24:51. Maria was the top finisher for the Gators in each of Pine Manor's races this season. The freshman from Okinawa, Japan posted her best time of the season, 24:14, at the Rivier Invitational on 9/27/13. Her best overall finish came in the Gators' final dual meet of the season when she finished first overall in a narrow 25-30 loss to Mount Ida.

Amanda Johnson - Fr., Salem

Amanda's 5k times: 25:43, 23:52, 24:34, 24:42, 26:57, 24:54. This the first time Amanda has participated in competitive running on any level.