Williston, Vt. - Alex Leuchanka and Ada Lauterbach each posted top-10 finishes to pace the UAlbany cross country teams at the America East Conference Pre-Championship Meet held on Sunday, Sept. 13 at the Catamount Family Center. Both squads placed fifth among six scoring teams at the meet, which allowed harriers from five America East schools to navigate the same course which will be used for the league's championship meet on Saturday, Oct. 31.
The New Hampshire men, which have won three straight America East titles, and the Boston University women won the team championships. Boston University's Eric Ashe won the men's individual title in 25:24.16, while fellow Terrier Andrea Walkonen, an All-American last year, won the women's race by outdistancing the rest of the field by almost 35 seconds.
Leuchanka, who was one of several Great Dane harriers running an 8,000-meter course for the first time, placed fifth overall in 25:43.37 to lead the UAlbany men, which finished just one point behind an older and more experienced Maine squad. He was also the first freshman from any school to cross the finish line. Freshman Sean Halpin finished second on the squad and 14th overall in 26:27.26, while redshirt freshman Paul Lagno was right behind him in 26:27.92. Junior David Rothman was 24th in 26:57.89, and redshirt freshman Ethan Clary placed 28th in 27:07 to complete the top five finishers for the youngest men's squad participating at the meet.
Lauterbach finished ninth among 86 runners in 19:07.01 to lead the youngest women's squad in the six-team field. The sophomore's mark was also her fastest collegiate time on a 5,000-meter course. Freshman Miranda McConnell was second on the squad and 15th in the field in 19:33.84, while classmate Brianna Service was one spot behind her in 19:35.75. Rounding out the top five finishers for the UAlbany women were freshman Mikala Anson, who was 23rd overall in 19:59.39, and Melissa Del Rosario, another freshman, who placed 26th in 20:03.98.
The Great Dane harriers have a three-week layoff before returning to action on Saturday, Oct. 3, when the top seven runners for each squad will compete at the George Mason Invitational.
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America East Conference Pre-Championship Meet Team Standings (Men)
1. New Hampshire 39 points; 2. Vermont 63 points; 3. Boston U. 68 points; 4. Maine 84 points; 5. UAlbany 85 points; 6. St. Michael's 190 points.
Individual Champion: Eric Ashe, Boston U., 25:24.16.
UAlbany Finishers: 5. Alex Leuchanka 25:43.37; 14. Sean Halpin 26:27.26; 15. Paul Lagno 26:27.92; 24. David Rothman 26:57.89; 28. Ethan Clary 27:07.33; 29. Craig Weiss 27:09.89; 39. Chris Manico 27:44.45; 40. Ryan Florkiewicz 27:45.60; 41. Jack Kelley 27:46.62; 52. Jimmy Carroll 28:31.53.
America East Conference Pre-Championship Meet Team Standings (Women)
1. Boston U. 49 points; 2. Vermont 56 points; 3. Maine 63 points; 4. New Hampshire 73 points; 5. UAlbany 89 points; 6. St. Michael's 189 points.
Individual Champion: Andrea Walkonen, Boston U., 17:50.68.
UAlbany Finishers: 9. Ada Lauterbach 19:07.01; 15. Miranda McConnell 19:33.84; 16. Brianna Service 19:35.75; 23. Mikala Anson 19:59.39; 26. Melissa Del Rosario 20:03.98; 27. Ally Panos 20:07.24; 36. Jenn Pierson 20:31.11; 44. Rachel Wysocki 20:54.10; 53. Emily Finnegan 21:21.83.
Men's Results (Page One)
Men's Results (Page Two)
Women's Results (Page One)
Women's Results (Page Two)
