With six of the top eight runners returning from the most successful squad in program history, which posted its best-ever finish at the University Athletic Association (UAA) Championship and qualified for the NCAA Championship for the first time, the New York University women's cross country team has every reason to think it can reach those lofty heights again in 2010.

“We return most of our girls from last year,” said head coach Nick McDonough.  “With another year under their belts they should be ready to compete at the national level once again.”

The rest of Division III appears to agree.  The Violets open the season ranked third in the New York Region – the same spot in the regional rankings they ended last year.

Leading the charge for the Violets this season will be junior Maeve Evans and sophomore Kirsten Keller.  Last season Evans finished 12th at UAA's and 127th at NCAA's, while Keller took ninth at the UAA Championship, earning her the league's Rookie of the Year honors, and 141st at NCAA's.

“Kirsten and Maeve will look once again to compete strongly at the UAA and NCAA levels and take the program to new heights,” commented McDonough.

Junior Paige Zelinsky also returns after scoring at the NCAA Championship, where she finished 184th following her 30th-place finish at UAA's, while three others are back after playing a critical role in NYU's impressive UAA finish. Junior Laura Santoski (42nd), sophomore Hannah Satzke (45th) and senior Emily Olsen (52nd) will all move up on the ladder following solid campaigns in 2009.

Another impressive freshman class, led by newcomers Emily Cousens, Gabriella Gjonaj and Lorraine Brancale, is expected to contribute right away and add considerable depth to NYU's already strong foundation.

“We have a large, strong group of freshman girls – one that should keep our program heading in the right direction for the next four years,” noted McDonough.

That group will have its first chance to do so when the Violets open their season this Saturday, September 4, at the Monmouth University Season Opener in Lincroft, NJ.