From NYU Athletics
The New York University men's cross country team took part in
the NCAA Division III Atlantic Regional Championship on Saturday,
November 15, at Genesee Valley Park in Rochester, NY.
As a team, the Violets finished sixth with 162 points. NYU entered
the competition ranked #5 in the Atlantic Region by the USA Track
& Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCA).
Saint Lawrence University won the championship with 63 points.
"Our goal was to fight for fourth place to have a chance to qualify
for the NCAA Championship as a team, but it is what it is," said
Head Coach Will Boylan-Pett. "We did our best today
and we will definitely continue to work hard and improve."
Senior team co-captain Sebastian Oja placed
second in 25:11.2, less than four second behind the winner Matt
Giannino from the Rochester Institute of Technology (25:08.7). Oja
qualifies as an individual for the NCAA Championship.
"Sebastian had a great race today," noted Boylan-Pett. "He was
leading through the second half of the race and with 800m to go the
RIT runner started to catch up with him. It was an interesting
rivalry, and they both were pretty clear of everyone else.
Sebastian didn't have his best performance at the UAA (University
Athletic Association) Championship two weeks ago, so it was crucial
for him to bounce back, and he did it."
There was a total of 41 complete teams and 285 runners competing in
the 8K race.
Highlights:
- Senior Johnny Lake placed 16th in
25:39.7.
- Oja and Lake, along with other top-35 finishers, received
All-Region honors.
- Other scorers for the Violets were junior Daniel
Rieger (45th place, 26:12.7), freshman Max
Mudd (48th, 26:14.5) and sophomore Herbert
Gates (51st, 26:16.4)
"Oja definitely qualified for nationals, and I think Johnny has a
chance, as well. We need to wait until all regional results come in
and the official announcement is made," Boylan-Pett added.