From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank

Terrific college debut Friday for Villanova freshman Maeve Smith from Ocean City at the Main Line Invitational at Haverford.

In her 1^st race as a Wildcat, Smith placed 10^th out of nearly 100 runners in 18:16 and was Villanova’s 5^th finisher.

This was Smith’s 1^st race since she ran a 4:53.27 full mile [equivalent of 4:51.57 for 1,600 meters] at West Philly Nationals on June 21, 10^th-fastest in South Jersey.

Smith also ran 10:32.54 slast spring, also 10^th-fastest in South Jersey history. She ran 17:08.01 for 5,000 meters, 4^th-fastest in South Jersey history and 12^th-fastest in state history. She’s the only girl from South Jersey [and one of only four from New Jersey] to run that fast for all three races.

Villanova won the team title 38-41 over Penn.

Next for Villanova is the Paul Short Run on Lehigh’s 6,000-meter course in Bethlehem and partially in Lower Saucon Township.

Villanova is ranked 6^th in the most recent USTFCCCA Mid-Atlantic Region poll and 2^nd among Big East schools. The USTFCCCA is the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

Sterling graduate Cara Coppolino, a sophomore at La Salle, placed 25^th in 19:12 and was the Explorers’ 3^rd finisher.

Lehigh’s 3^rd finisher in the men’s race was Derek Coceano, a junior from Cinnaminson. He placed 40^th overall in 20:53 over four miles.