WEST CHESTER, Ohio - Salisbury University was represented in the NCAA Division III Cross Country National Championships for the first time in seven years as sophomore twin sisters Kelly and Glenna Sullivan raced against 279 women's runners here on Saturday at the Voice of America Park.

Kelly Sullivan finished in 71st place with a time of 24:33 which was just two minutes behind Williamette's Sarah Zerzan (22:31), who won the 6,000-meter women's race on a wet and muddy course. Glenna Sullivan was a little over a minute behind her sister as she crossed the finish line, with a pack of runners, at 25:46 in 185th place.

"I really thought Kelly and Glenna competed well under those terrible conditions (ankle deep mud) to run in," said Salisbury coach Jim Jones. "It was a very good experience for them and I know they will use this to their advantage in the future."

In the women's team competition, Middlebury College won its fourth title in seven years as the Panthers beat conference rival Amherst by one point, 144 to 145. Salisbury did not qualify this season for the team championship.

The last person to qualify for the NCAA championship for Salisbury was Suzy McCulloch in 1999. She finished 48th overall in that year's race. The top 35 finishers automatically receive All-American honors. SU has never had a women's cross country runner earn that honor.

Thirty-two teams and 56 individuals participated in the event, marking the largest field ever assembled for an NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships.