Oct. 29, 2002

FAIRFAX, Va. - The George Mason men's and women's cross country teams will serve as hosts for the Colonial Athletic Association Cross Country Championships at Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville, Va. on Saturday, Nov. 2. The women's 6,000-meter race will begin at 10:30 a.m., while the men's 8,000-meter race is scheduled to start at 11:30 a.m.

The Patriots will be led by senior Michelle DiPenti (Warren, PA/Warren Area) and junior Ben Sommers (Nashua, NH/Nashua). DiPenti has been the highest finisher for the women's team in every meet this season, placing in the top five three times and out of the top 10 just once. Sommers has been the men's highest finisher in all but one meet this season, and has placed in the top 25 twice.

Competing at Bull Run in the Mason Invitational on Oct. 5, DiPenti placed third in the 6,000-meter run in 23 minutes, 47.21 seconds (23:47.21). At the same meet Sommers finished 28th after covering the 8,000-meter course in 29:29.09.

Two-time defending men's team champion William and Mary has claimed the conference crown nine times in the last 12 years. James Madison won the women's title in 2001 for the third consecutive season and for the fourth time ever. The 2001 individual women's champion, James Madison senior Mollie DeFrancesco, will return to defend her title.

George Mason's women's team has won the championship four times, last in 1989, while the Patriot men's team is still in search of their first CAA cross country team title.

There will be no admission fee to the CAA Cross Country Championships.