LEWISTON, Maine -- First-year runner Matt Twiest of Albuquerque, N.M., junior Justin Freeman of Franklin, N.H., first-year runner Mike Danahy of South Windsor, Conn., sophomore Adelia Myrick of Kodiak, Alaska, and junior Abigail Phelps of Chester, N.H., all placed in the top 20 at the NCAA Division III New England Regional Cross Country Championships at Westfield State College on Nov. 9, earning them All-New England honors. Twiest, Myrick and Phelps all placed in the top 10, garnering them a trip to the NCAA National Championships Nov. 16 at Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill.

Twiest, a Reebok All-American in high school, earned a chance to become a collegiate All-American by finishing fifth overall in a time of 26:04. He was 27 seconds behind first place. He adds the first-team All- New England honor to the All Maine and All-NESCAC (New England Small College Athletic Conference), which he earned earlier this season.

Joining Twiest in the top 20 and earning second-team All-New England status were Freeman, a three-time All-New England performer, who placed 12th in a time of 26:30, and first-year runner Danahy, who placed 18th in a time of 26:45.

As a team, the Bobcats finished tied for third with Brandeis, both teams with 142 points. The third place finish is a significant improvement over last year's ninth.

Myrick earned her second straight All-New England honor with a sixth place finish in the women's race, up from 10th place last year. She finished with a time of 19:08 over the 3.1-mile course. Phelps also turned in her second straight All-New England performance, coming in ninth, up from 21st a year ago. She finished with a time of 19:25.

As a team, the Bobcats finished in eighth place with 228 points, down from their third place finish last season, when they became the first cross country team in Bates' history to reach the NCAA National Championships. Three members of last year's team are spending their junior year abroad and should make next year's team especially strong.

Twiest is a 1996 graduate of Albuquerque Academy. He is the son of Melvin and Mary Ann Twiest, 9200 Lona Lane Northeast, Albuquerque.

Freeman is a 1994 graduate of the Saint Bani School. He is the son of Donavan and Barbara Freeman, Franklin.

Danahy is a 1996 graduate of South Windsor High School. He is the son of Peter and Pamela Danahy, 140 Kent Lane, South Windsor.

MyrickÊis a 1995 graduate of Kodiak High School. She is the daughter of Chris and Betsy Myrick, Kodiak.

Phelps is a 1994 graduate of Pinkerton Academy. She is the daughter of Robert and Charlotte Anne Phelps, 262 Jennifer Drive, Chester.