WOLFPACK CLAIM 2ND REGION TITLE

HAGERSTOWN, Md. - Behind two of the top four runners and a strong overall team effort, the Westmoreland County Community College women's cross country team won its second ever Division III Region XX team championship Saturday at the region meet hosted by Hagerstown Community College.

The Wolfpack efforts were led by a pair of All-Region performances. Freshman Brooke Bertovich was the region runner-up, as she placed second overall with a time of 23:18.6, which also set a new PR by 26 seconds. Not far behind her was freshman Jenna Hildenbrand, who also ran to All-Region distinction by taking fourth place in a time of 23:36.7, a time which took 22 seconds off her previous best.

For Westmoreland to hold off a good Anne Arundel squad, the Wolfpack needed quality performances from their entire line-up and every runner stepped up. Taking seventh place was freshman Olivia Jumper, who crossed in a time of 25:18.1. The region title, which was Westmoreland's second in the last three years, was clinched when the Wolfpack went 10-11-12 in the final results. In a tight pack of runners at the finish line, freshman Jenn Baldwin took 10th place with a time of 25:42.5, while Abby Dorogi crossed 11th overall by finishing in 25:45.1, as she shaved 47 seconds off her previous fastest time.

Earning 12th place with a strong kick to the end was Natalie Naponic, who finished in 26:26.2. Completing the championship team effort was Dakota Cochran, who placed 16th overall.

With WPCC and Region XX titles already earned, the Wolfpack will carry that momentum into the NJCAA Championships next Saturday, which will be hosted by Holyoke Community College in Mass.