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Oct. 20, 2003

NEW ORLEANS, La. - Tulane University freshman Bessie Hatch (Ojai, Calif.) has been named the Conference USA Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Week for the third time this season, the league announced Monday.

The precocious freshman won her third individual title in six races this season, posting a time of 17:45 on the three-mile course at the 88-runner Sam Houston Invitational on Friday. Her win led the Green Wave to a team victory as well. The rookie has led Tulane in all six of its races this season, tallying three firsts and two second-place finishes.

Hatch also won the honor following the season-opening Tulane Invitational and on Sept. 29 following the LSu Invitational.

Hatch's teammate Philip Aaagaard (Linkoping, Sweden) has won C-USA Men's Cross Country Athlete of the Week honors twice this season.

The Tulane cross country teams will not compete this week, as they begin final preparations for the Conference USA Championship on Saturday, Nov. 1 in Tampa, Fla.