WATERFORD, Conn. - A stiff wind coming off the ocean at Harkness State Park in Waterford, Conn. didn't stop Keene State senior Jennifer Adams (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) from becoming the first Owls women's runner to capture the New England Regional Championship. Adams crossed the finish line of the 6K course in 21:20 to earn an individual berth in the NCAA Division III championship which takes place next Saturday at St. Olaf College in Northfield Minnesota.

Adams is only the second Keene State runner ever to accomplish the feat, joining former Owl runner and current assistant coach Wilson Perez, who claimed the men's championship in 2000.

"Considering the conditions, I was real happy with my race," said Adams, who will be shooting for her second cross country All-America honor. (She earned All-America in 2005) "All my hard work during the season paid off." Following the advice of Coach Peter Thomas, Adams went out with the leaders before breaking away from the pack at the two mile mark. "I felt strong, so I decided it was time to make my move," said Adams, who beat the second place finisher Amherst's Heather Wilson (21:31) by 11 seconds.

Earlier in the season, Adams also won races at the Dartmouth, KSC, and Saratoga Invitationals, and placed fifth at the New England championships.

Adams might have some company at the nationals. Freshman Nicole Slane (Milford, N.H.), who finished 23rd (22:25) and sophomore Jared Samuel (Londonderry, N.H.), who ran 12th in the men's field could also earn an individual berth. According to Thomas their fates will be decided on Sunday when the NCAA determines how many at-large teams will be invited to the championships. If four teams get the nod out of the region, then both Slane and Samuel can pack their bags for the trip to Northfield. However, Slane injured her knee during the race and might not be able to compete.

It was a disappointing day for both Owls squads who were hoping to qualify for the championships. Looking to return to the nationals, The Owl women finished in 10th place scoring 301 points. Amherst won the meet with an overall score of 40. In addition to Adams and Slane, , sophomore Rita Marcotte (Heath, Mass.) finished in 63rd place with a time of 23:14, sophomore Mellissa Pelletier (Merrimack, NH) finished 103rd with a time of 23:50, and senior Sophie Holly (Ledyard, Conn.) finished in 112th place completing the course at 24:02 to round out the women's scoring.

On the men's side, junior Sean Gavaghan (Monroe, Conn.) followed Samuel to the finishing line. Gavaghan finished 41st with a time of 25:40, freshman Eric MacKnight (Newtown, Conn.) placed 45th with a time of 25:45, sophomore Samuel Wood (Laconia, NH) finished in 51st place at 25:50, and sophomore Patrick Davis (Wethersfield, Conn.) finished the course in 57th place with a time of 25:55. Keene State's top freshman runner Craig MacPherson (Derry, NH) lost his shoe in the first 600 meters and never recovered. The men scored 206 points as a team placing them 8th just behind conference rival Southern Maine. Amherst won the meet edging Williams with a final team score of 117 to Williams 118. The individual champion was Williams' sophomore Edgar Kosgey with a winning time of 24:55.

It was the second straight year the KSC has missed the NCAA cut after making nine straight appearances from 1997-20005.