Aifuwa Earns CACC Runner of the Week Honors for the Fourth Time

Philadelphia (October 3, 2005) –The University of the Sciences in Philadelphia women’s cross country team has competed in four meets so far this year. And for the fourth time this season, Joy Aifuwa (Edison High School/Edison, NJ) has earned the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Runner of the Week honors.

Aifuwa won her second consecutive race this past Saturday, taking first place honors at Belmont Classic at Belmont Plateau. As she did last week, Aifuwa strategically let others set the pace in the first mile. Coming out of the woods, Joy was even with last year’s champion Carolyn Roberts of Cabrini College. Aifuwa took over on the downhill off the plateau and cruised to a 12 second win, completing the 5,000 meter course in 19:49.06. This was Aifuwa’s third win in four races this season, having won at Delaware Valley to open the season on September 3, 2005 and at the Philadelphia Metro Championship last week.

Aifuwa's performance helped lead the Devils to their first ever invitational title, defeating 15 other teams in the field. USP finished with 109 points, edging out Richard Stockton College by a mere two points (111) and third place Lebanon Valley College (who beat the Devils earlier this season) by three points (112). Defending Belmont Classic and CACC champions Georgian Court University finished sixth with 158 points.

The former Edison High School athlete is in her second season of competition for the Devils. As a freshman she earned Runner of the Weeks honors twice and finished 2nd at the 2004 CACC Championships earning All Conference and Newcomer of the Year honors.

The Devils next race will be the Goldey Beacom Invitational held at Carousel Park in Wilmington, Delaware on October 8, 2005.

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