Villanova University

Jan. 24, 2006

Metairie, LA - In 2005-06, the NCAA is celebrating its 25 years of sponsoring women's sports. To mark this milestone, the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) is honoring the outstanding women's coaches and schools of the years 1981-2006 in cross country and outdoor track and field.

In the 1950s, `60s and `70s, Villanova was known for its great men milers. When women began competing at the NCAA level in 1981, Villanova shifted its dynastic ambitions to women's cross country.

With individual stars such as Vicki Huber, Sonia O'Sullivan, Carole Zajac, Jen Rhines and Carrie Tollefson, Villanova dominated women's cross country from 1989 to 1998. The Wildcats won seven NCAA team titles and finished second twice.

As a result, the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association named Villanova the outstanding NCAA Division I women's cross country program of the past 25 years. At the 2005 NCAA cross country championships, the NCAA named Zajac the top individual performer of the women's era.

Villanova Athletic Director Vince Nicastro said, "It's an honor to be recognized in this way. The university is extremely proud of the student-athletes and coaches who have built this program and who have continued to succeed, producing world class accomplishments throughout the program's history. This is truly a special achievement for our program."

Marty Stern coached the Wildcats to five straight NCAA team titles (1989-93). Stern's successor, John Marshall, guided Villanova to its 1994 title. Marcus O'Sullivan coached Villanova to its seventh collegiate title in 1998.

Huber, a 1998 Olympian in track, won Villanova's first individual title at the 1989 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships. O'Sullivan (1990-91), Zajac (1992-93) and Rhines (1994) followed Huber's lead, giving the Wildcats six consecutive NCAA individual champions.

To better understand the Wildcats' dominance, consider this: Every Villanova women's cross country runner in the 1990s was a member of an NCAA championship team. And two Villanovans from those teams, Nnenna Lynch and Becky Spies, were named Rhodes Scholars.

About the USTFCCCA

The U. S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association serves as the professional association for men and women who coach in the sports of cross country and track and field throughout the United States. It provides educational opportunities and serves as a vehicle for networking, the exchange of information, and advocacy on behalf of the profession and the sports. The association represents over 1,800 NCAA Division I, II and III men's and women's programs as well as multiple high school and individual coaches.