Kathy Newberry Has Best Finish Ever at World XC Championships

Coach Helps Team USA Take Fourth

03/31/08 8:00PM

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - It was a cold and wet Sunday morning in Holyrood Park for the IAAF World Cross Country Championships, which turned out to be perfect for William and Mary head women’s coach Kathy Newberry ’00, who turned in a career-best performance to help Team USA place fourth, only three points out of medaling. Ethiopia won the team race by four points over Kenya, led by Tirunesh Dibaba’s individual win in 25:10.

Women's Results

Newberry was the fourth American finisher, crossing the finish line in 26:42 for 24th place. Her previous best placing was 25th, at Bruxelles in 2004, and her previous best time also came at Bruxelles, when she ran 28:56.

Newberry returns home next weekend, April 4-5, to lead her charges at the 43rd Annual Colonial Relays. Running and jumping events will be held inside Zable Stadium, while throwing events will be held at the Stimson Throwing Events Area, northwest of the stadium by Fraternity Row. The schedule for the meet, lists of participating schools and All-Americans, and lists of past event champions can be found on the William and Mary website at http://www.tribeathletics.com/story.php/6652/.

36th IAAF World Cross Country Championships
Edinburgh, Scotland – Senior Women, 8KM
Team Standings
1. Ethiopia 18
2. Kenya 22
3. Australia 84
4. United States 87
5. Morocco 100

Top Five Individuals
1. Tirunesh Dibaba (ETH) 25:10
2. Mestawet Tufa (ETH) 25:15
3. Linet Chepkwemoi Masai (KEN) 25:18
4. Doris Chepkwemoi Changeywo (KEN) 25:34
5. Hilda Kibet (NED) 25:35

Team USA Finishers
18. Emily Brown 26:36
22. Katie McGregor 26:40
23. Molly Huddle 26:40
24. Kathy Newberry 26:42
49. Renee Metivier-Baillie 27:49
62. Amy Hastings 28:18