Franklin & Marshall College

The 1985 Women 's Cross Country season was the most climatic seasons in the eight year history of the women's cross country program at F&M! Finishing eighth in 1982 and fourth in 1983 and 1984, the Lady Harriers decisively finished first at the NCAA Division III Nationals at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga. Such an accomplishment marked the first time in the history of F&M Athletics that a team has captured the NCAA title through competitive means.

Looking back at the 1985 season, the victory at Nationals was merely icing on the cake. The Harriers were undefeated in all dual meets and won five prestigious Invitationals. The significant victory was over Indiana University of Pennsylvania, ranked 2nd in Division II. More importantly, the Harriers overwhelmed all of their opponents at the Middle Atlantic Conference meet by scoring a mere 23 points (with the second-place team at a whopping 80 points behind) on a demanding course at Belmont Plateau in Philadelphia. The Harriers won the NCAA Regional Qualifier meet a week later, despit horrendous weather conditions.

Leading the team through all of its meets were senior tri-captain Lois Lucente and junior Amanda Shaw. Both earned All-American honors by finishing fourth and seventh, respectively, at Nationals. Sophomores Terri Smith and Dee Dee Hemmingway, as well as seniors, Nancy Leet, Katrina Harriman, and Laurie Reynolds performed very well and added depth throughout the season.