Harper Women Recognized for Runner-Up Finish at Nationals

At last week’s Harper College Fall Sports Banquet, the Harper College women’s cross country team was recognized for finishing runner-up at the 2014 DIII Women’s Cross Country National Championship. The second place finish was the highest finish in school history for the women’s cross country program.

Two Harper College runners earned All-American status at the national meet. Marisa Andreuccetti (Elk Grove Village, Ill./Conant) finished 11th place, and Silvia Catalan (Palatine, Ill./Palatine) finished 14th place, both earning All-American accolades.

Stephanie Chaires (Palatine, Ill./Christian Liberty) and Lori Delfin (Wheeling, Ill./Wheeling) placed 16th and 18th at nationals, and Itzel Sotelo (Palatine, Ill./Palatine) captured 31st place. Maria Barajas (/Schaumburg) placed 46th, and Cynthia Siddiqui (/Palatine) came in 73rd place. Taylor LoCoco (/Prairie Ridge) and Kaeley Melaniphy (/Barrington) were also valuable parts of the team in the 2014 season.

Delfin was voted Team MVP by her teammates. The sophomore also won Harper College Athlete of the Week honors on Sept. 12.