Nov. 20, 2007

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - It was announced today that Providence's Danette Doetzel (Macklin, Saskatchewan) and Ahmed Haji (West Hartford, Conn.) were named 2007 USTFCCCA Division I Cross Country All-Americans. Doetzel and Haji earn the honors for their performances at the NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships in Terre Haute, Ind. on November 19.

Doetzel was the Friars' top finisher in the women's 6K race at the NCAA's. She placed 19th individually in a time of 20:51.1. Haji was the top runner for PC on the men's side with a 38th-place finish on the 10K course with a time of 30:41.7. Doetzel and Haji earn All-America honors for the first time in their collegiate careers.

Last week, Doetzel was named USTFCCCA Division I Northeast Region Female Athlete of the Year for cross country. Doetzel was PC's top finisher in every event she entered this fall. On November 10, she captured the NCAA Northeast Regional individual championship with a first-place finish in a time of 20:28.00. The Northeast Regional was held at Franklin Park in Boston, Mass.

Haji enjoyed a solid cross country season in 2007. He placed in the top-three among Providence runners in each of the events he entered. At the NCAA Northeast Regional at Franklin Park in Boston, Mass., Haji finished 10th overall with a time of 30:14.95. For his efforts he earned All-Northeast Region honors.

- FRIARS -