Women’s Cross Country Finishes Fifth at NCAA DIII East Regionals 

HOPKINTON, N.H. – Suffolk women's cross country had a historic race Saturday as the Rams turned in a fifth-place performance at NCAA Division III East Regionals at the Hopkinton Fair Grounds.  

The blue-and-gold combined for 148 points at the regional event, which Suffolk hosted for the third time and second straight season. That number put the Rams in a two-way tie with Colby for fourth. Tiebreaker procedure expands the team's runner field from five to seven and the Mules edged out the last two Suffolk student-athletes on the course to put Will Feldman's squad in fifth. 

Both Suffolk and Colby were just one point behind Bates, who has been in and out of the national polls all season. No. 1 MIT won the meet with 56 points and No. 16 Tufts slid into seconds behind 67 points.  

The Rams were the best Conference of New England (CNE) school on the course as the 30-team field also featured Gordon (10th), the University of New England (12th), Endicott (14th), Wentworth (28th). Curry and Nichols were represented by individuals as well. 

RAMS RUNNERS

• Grad student Amalia Dorion paced the Suffolk contingent on the 6k course. She came through the finisher's chute in 22:26.60 to lock up 14th in the 224-runner race. 
• Amy Pattelena was three spots behind Dorion. She crossed the tape in 22:34.91 to take 17th. 
• Sofia Moukaddem's 22:55.32 was good for 26th. 
• Sydney Fogg finished 38th with a time of 23:30.0. 
• Emily Concepcion turned in a 23:51.61 to claim 60th. 
• Shannon Groom (25:01.28) and Megan Dunn (26:01.07) rounded out the Rams in the Granite State in 92nd and 134th, respectively. 

ALL-REGION

• For their top-20 finishes, both Dorion and Pattelena took home All-New England honors from the DIII New England Association. The accolade is awarded to the top 20 finishers at the meet. 
• Dorion and Pattelena, as well as Moukadeem grabbed United State Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-East Region, which is given to student-athletes in every regional race that places in the top 35.  

RAMS RECORDS

• Moukaddem compiled her best regional appearance, both time and place. The sophomore also rewrote her 6k personal best. 
• Concepcion registered her best regional time and place. 
• Fogg and Pattelena both put together their best regionals finish place wise.  

THAT'S A FIRST

• Dorion made her D3 regionals debut as a Ram. 
• Moukaddeem competed at regionals in a Suffolk jersey for the first time. 
• Dunn and Groom both raced at regionals for the first time in their collegiate careers.  

NOTEWORTHY

• Suffolk hosted NCAA DIII East Regionals for the third time in program history, second straight season and second time at Hopkinton Fair Grounds. 
• The fifth-place performance is the best by Suffolk at regionals. 
• Both the three USTFCCCA All-East Region honorees and pair of All-New England via DIII New England are the most honorees in a single season for Suffolk.
• Dorion's 14th place finish ties the best finish by a Ram at regionals that was set by Emily Manfra in 2019.
• Pattelena became the first-ever Suffolk Ram to capture All-New England via DIII New England multiple times. She earned her first distinction a year ago. 
• Dorion picked up her first All-New England via DIII New England.
• Pattelena repeated as a USTFCCCA All-East Region honoree. She is the second-ever Ram, first since Ellie Davis to have multiple all-region accolades to her credit.  
• Dorion and Moukaddem are first-time USTFCCCA All-East Region honorees. 
• Fogg became the first female Ram to run at regionals four times since Manfra compete at a regional race each year of her collegiate career 2016-19. 

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk awaits its NCAA Division III Championships fate that will be announced tomorrow, Sunday, Nov. 17 on NCAA.com before 3:00 p.m.