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National Champion Ocean County College Women's Cross Country Team Honored with Ring Ceremony

The Ocean County College Women's Cross Country Team received their National Championship rings on April 21, 2010 at a ceremony held in the gymnasium for their accomplishment of capturing the first ever Cross Country national title for Ocean County College on November 7, 2009 at Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua, NY.  Ocean finished first in the team competition (NJCAA Division III) out of 17 full teams with 73 points.

Leading the team at the National Championships was OCC's lead runner, Jennifer Nelson who outlasted all runners for the individual title.  Nelson won Ocean's first ever individual national champion cross country title with a time of 19:48 on the tough 5k course.  Nelson was supported by teammates Erine O'Connor (21:18) and Alyssa Collier (21:19), who finished 12th and 13th respectively in the 115 runner field.  The three ladies earned All-American Honors for their efforts, which were awarded to the top 15 runners.  Priscilla Robinson (21:37) was 17th, and Lauren Ashman (22:32) finished 30th to seal the victory for the Vikings.  Taylor Madden and Elaine Josefowski also had fantastic races, finishing 42nd and 68th overall.  "It was a great day for the women.  They hung in there and fought all the way through the finish line, which is what has to be done at a national championship, “Each had her own job to make sure it was a successful day, and they all delivered,” said Head Coach Ed Baynes.

After winning the championship the team has been recognized throughout the year. Presentations were made on December 7th, 2009 at the New Jersey General Assembly meeting and again on January 20, 2010 at the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders for winning the 2009 NJCAA Division III National Championship.  The Athletic Department and the team members were honored to have been recognized both at the Statehouse and at the County Municipal Complex. The Administration would like to extend our gratitude to the Assembly and to the Freeholders of Ocean County for a wonderful experience.

The ring ceremony has capped off a continuous celebration of the Women’s Cross Country Team’s outstanding achievements. OCC Administration is so proud of the ladies and their hard work both in their races and in the classroom which earned them the NJCAA Academic Team of the year honors for Fall 2009 in addition to the NJCAA Division III National Championship.