Race Results
GENESEO, NY (November 14, 2009) – Following today’s impressive 16th place finish at the NCAA Division III Atlantic Regional Cross Country Champion race at Letchworth State Park, head men’s cross country coach James McCowan is already excited about next season, although he’s not quite ready to part with an extremely successful 2008 campaign.
In a crowded 38 team field with 264 runners, the Brewers placed 16th in the 8000 meter race (414 points), an improvement of three places from last season’s 19th place finish. Cortland took the men’s title with 49 points, while Hamilton’s senior star Peter Kosgei earned top individual honors with a 24:40.6 clocking.
McCowan came away pleased that the Brewers were able to slide one slot ahead of Rensselaer – a team that defeated Vassar by 42 points for second place at the Liberty League Championships on October 10 – and finish ahead of all Liberty League opponents except St. Lawrence.
For the second straight week, freshman
Sam Wagner led the charges, finishing first overall for Vassar and 64th in the race with a 26:46.7 finish.
“The men did an excellent job today,” said McCowan. “We finished ahead of RPI who really demolished us at the Liberty League meet, and that was exciting. We were in the mix with a lot of teams today.”
McCowan’s assessment was correct. Rowan College, the 15th place team, was a scant seven points ahead of Vassar and the Brewers’ contingent of seven runners was in the mix against strong teams from Ramapo, Brockport, Hamilton and Ithaca, teams all on the fringed of finishing in the top ten.
Despite suffering with an illness, junior
Jon Erickson ran a gutsy race for Vassar, finishing second for the Brewers and 73rd overall (26:55). Sophomore Zach Williams came in 77th (26:59), freshman
Roni Teich in 88th (27:19) and sophomore
William Healy completed Vassar’s scoring in 88th (27:19). Sophomore
Justin Rupert and senior
Danny McBee rounded out the team effort finishing in 135th and 158th place respectively with 28:07 and 28:28 times.
“Our guys ran close together and our first to fifth spread was 57 seconds better than it was the last time we ran this course in 2006,” said McCowan. “Six of our top runners are all returning next season, so we have a strong crew coming back and I am looking forward to the future of the program.”
While McCowan looked ahead, he was thankful for his experienced senior class, one that included senior captains McBee and
Ges Adams,
Danny Liebowitz and Ali Jamil. “Our senior class put in a lot of time and work this season, and I am grateful for everything they have done for the program,” McCowan said.