NCAA Atlantic Region Championship Results
The New York University men's cross country team, the defending NCAA Division III National Champions, have earned the right to defend their title with a second-place (and automatic-qualifying) finish at the NCAA Atlantic Region Championship, which was hosted by St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY, on Saturday.
The two-time defending Atlantic Region Champion Violets placed behind only Cortland State University on Saturday, compiling 84 points to the Red Dragons' 47 in a race beset by a steady rain.
Entering the competition, NYU was ranked #7 in the nation and #2 in the region by the USFTCCCA (United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association), while Cortland State was ranked #1 in both polls.
Senior All-American
Jesse Schneider continued his outstanding final campaign, taking second place overall with a time of 25:32.9 over the muddy 8,000-meter course.
"Jesse ran a great race," said NYU head coach
Nick McDonough.
Peter Kosgei of Hamilton College, the runner-up at the 2007 NCAA National Championship, won the race in a time of 25:18.8.
NYU junior
Zach Maher, also posted a top-10 finish, grabbing 10th place in a time of 25:57.9.
The victorious Red Dragons had three runners finish among the top six, while their five scorers all placed within the top-20.
The Violets' next highest finisher was sophomore
Sebastian Schwelm, who took 22nd place in a time of 26:25.8 Junior
Calvin Lee finished in 24th place (26:27.6), while senior
Mark Hess took 26th (26:34.1).
""We usually close hard in the last mile or so," McDonough explained. "But, in the mud and rain we just couldn't do it."
NYU's top five finishers, as well as sophomore
Matt Turlip, who finished in 32nd place (26:46.3), earned NCAA All-Atlantic Region honors.
Next Saturday's NCAA Division III National Championship race will be held in Hanover, IN.
"We did what we needed to do to qualify for nationals," McDonough said. "I'm happy we'll have the opportunity to defend our championship."
