Williams College sophomore cross country standout and former Lincoln-Sudbury star Jennifer Gossels was recently named the New England Athlete of the Year by the U.S, Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

Last Saturday, Gossels finished second in the Division III national meet.

On Nov. 13 Gossels won the NCAA New England Regional Qualifier held on the Ephs home course at Mt. Greylock HS. Gossels won in a course-record time of 21:42.7 – a margin of seven seconds.

"Jennifer has been preparing for the regional meet since last year's outdoor track season ended," said Ephs assistant coach Patrick Wales-Dinan. "Winning regionals has been a goal of hers all season and it was great to watch her do it on her home course. There are few people I have come across who work as hard as Jennifer. She is 100 percent deserving of this honor."

Prior to the NCAA Regional Qualifier Gossels won the NESCAC title in muddy conditions at Hamilton College by 10 seconds in 22:13.8 and the Ephs Purple Valley Invitational (22:17).

At the Little Three Championship race at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn., Gossels claimed third place in a time of 18:45.04.

Gossels was the third Division III runner to finish at the Open New Englands (all Divisions) when she came in 10^th in 17:58 in Boston's Franklin Park.

Gossels kicked off her fall season with a stellar second-place performance of 20:28.80 over the approximately 3.28-mile course at the Dartmouth Invitational setting the tone early for her impressive season.

A year ago at the NCAA Championships Gossels was the top Ephs finisher when she captured 49^th place (23:05.9).