Sept. 19, 2008
National Catholic Final Results 
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The Notre Dame women’s cross country team took first place, while the men finished second at the 2008 National Catholic Championships Friday.
The Irish women took seven of the top 11 places, led by junior Lindsey Ferguson who crossed the line in 17:31 to win the individual title. Sophomore Marissa Treece was second at 17:53. Freshman Rachel Velarde finished fifth, senior Becca Bauman was sixth, sophomore Abby Higgins was sixth, senior Emily Wauford was 10th and junior Beth Tacl finished 11th.
The women won the team title for the seventh straight year and 15th time overall. Ferguson became the 10th Irish women’s runner to take the individual crown. An Irish runner has won the title in 12 of the last 13 meets.
The Irish men took second, just one point behind Duquesne. Sophomore Paul Springer won the individual title with a time of 24:54, followed by freshman Joe Miller in 24:58. Sophomore Ryan Gamboa finished sixth, sophomore Ryan Jacobs was 15th, sophomore Spencer Carter was 21st, freshman Kelly Lynch was 27th and freshman Jordan Carlson was 39th.
Springer became the 13th Irish men’s runner to claim an individual title. He is the first Notre Dame athlete to win the meet since Patrick Smyth in 2005.
The Irish will take two weeks off before hosting the Notre Dame Invitational Oct. 3.
National Catholic Championship Results
Men’s Team Results (Top 5) 1. Duquesne, 44; 2. NOTRE DAME, 45; 3. DePaul, 115; 4. Xavier, 120; 5. Dayton, 121
Individuals (Top 5 of 266 plus Notre Dame finishers) 1. Paul Springer (ND) 24:54; 2. Joe Miller (ND) 24:58; 3. Josh Eddy (Duquesne) 25:00; 4. Derek Dutille (Duquesne) 25:03; 5. Mike Andersen (Dayton) 25:13; 6. Ryan Gamboa (ND) 25:20; 15. Ryan Jacobs (ND) 25:47; 21. Spencer Carter (ND) 26:01; 27. Kelly Lynch (ND) 26:15; 39. Jordan Carlson (ND) 26:33
Women’s Team Results (Top 5) 1. Notre Dame 21; 2. Dayton 107; 3. Xavier, 148; 4. Saint Louis 150; 5. Duquesne 151
Individuals (Top 5 of 283 plus Notre Dame finishers) 1. Lindsey Ferguson (ND) 17:31; 2. Marissa Treece (ND) 17:53; 3. Jenny Scherer (St. Norbert) 18:08; 4. Christie Turak (Mercyhurst) 18:11; 5. Rachel Velarde (ND) 18:11; 6. Becca Bauman (ND) 18:17; 7. Abby Higgins (ND) 18:19; 10. Emily Wauford (ND) 18:25; 11. Beth Tacl (ND) 18:25
–ND–