Nov. 16, 2007

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Senior Captain Lindsay Donaldson finished third at the NCAA Northeast Regional Championship last week, thus advancing herself to the NCAA Championship, which will be held on Monday, Nov. 19 at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course in Terre Haute, Ind. By simply qualifying for the NCAA championship, Donaldson has become the first runner in Yale women's cross country history to qualify for nationals individually four years in a row.

Donaldson's performances at nationals have been astounding. A five-time all-American, she has finished within the top ten at nationals twice (sixth in 2004 as a freshman and third in 2006 as a junior) which, considering the fact that nationals hosts approximately 250 of the nation's best cross country runners, is remarkable. Donaldson's two top-ten finishes are a Yale career record, and only equaled in the Ivy League by Columbia legend Caroline Bierbaum, who finished third and second in 2004 and 2005 respectively. If Donaldson finishes in the top ten again on Monday, she will be the only Ivy League woman to finish in the top ten at nationals three times. If Donaldson wins, she will be the first Ivy League woman to ever win cross country nationals.

The race will be televised live on CSTV Monday at race time, marking the first time nationals has ever been televised live. Results will be available at Indiana State's athletic web page and a live feed of the race can be seen at http://trackshark.com/.

report by Ted Galligan '10, Yale Sports Publicity