Walkonen Named America East, ECAC Performer of the Week
September 11, 2007 | Women's Cross Country
Sept. 12, 2007
BOSTON - Following an impressive showing at the season-opening cross country meet at Franklin Park, senior Andrea Walkonen (Jaffrey, N.H.) was awarded this week's America East cross country top female performer, as was announced by the conference office on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Walkonen was also named this week's ECAC female cross country athlete of the week.
Walkonen finished first in the 5k event with a 14:46 finish time, which was one minute and 17 seconds ahead of the next closest competitor. It was an even more impressive feat given that Walkonen had not competed in any cross country or track and field events since June 9, 2006. The conditions on the day of the event were also noteworthy, with temperatures in the mid-90s and high humidity made the race even more strenuous.
The Terrier women finished the event with wins over Brown (25-32), Harvard (19-36), Manhattan (17-38) and Marist (16-39). BU had three other runners rounding out the top five, including freshman Emma Reid, senior Anne Wighton, and sophomore Sarah Mosser. The BU women's cross country team is ranked seventh in the Northeast in the most recent coaches' poll released by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
Albany's Ricardo Estemera was named the America East cross country top male performer this week for his first-place finish at the Seawolves Cross Country Invitational.
Dartmouth's Pat Dooley was tabbed as the ECAC male cross country athlete of the week, following his first-place finish at the Dartmouth Invitational, completing the race 18 seconds ahead of the rest of the field.
