Results
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BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Maya Brochu topped the 36-runner field at the Ron Ouellette Invitational and the University of New England women's cross country team rolled to a 1st-place finish out of three teams at Rotary Park on Friday afternoon (Sep. 4).

It was the sixth annual meet named for the former UNE coach, who retired in 2019 after 20 years at the helm. Ron Ouellette guided the programs to a combined nine conference championships, received a dozen Coach of the Year honors, and was inducted into the institution's Hall of Fame in 2017.

Five of the first six athletes to cross the line were Nor'easters, which amounted to a team score of 19 and bested the University of Southern Maine (41) and Husson University (77).

Brochu competed the two-mile course in 12:41 -- 19 seconds ahead of Lana DiRusso from USM. And, within the next 15 seconds, the rest of the UNE total was squared away. Marina Violette (3rd; 13:03), Sylvie DiBartolomeo (4th; 13:06), Sky Anderson (5th; 13:15), and Madelyn Hutchins (6th; 13:15) helped give the hosts the victory.

Mae Butler and Gianna Rodriguez rounded out the top-10 in support of the lead pack. Violette, Hutchins, and Butler are all rookies.

"This was a strong opener for our women, and it showcases the depth we have this year," added UNE head coach Kourtney Bonsey. "We are a young team with a lot of aspirations, and I look forward to seeing this squad continue to develop this season."

The Nor'easters will be back in action on September 19 at Bowdoin College for the Maine Invitational.