Williston, Vt. - Paced by freshman Sean Halpin and sophomore Ada Lauterbach, the UAlbany men's and women's cross country teams posted top-five finishes at the America East Conference Championships on Saturday afternoon at the Catamount Family Center. UAlbany's men's squad placed fourth, while the women's team tied for fifth in the team standings.
The Binghamton men finished 30 points ahead of New Hampshire, the three-time defending champion, to win their first-ever championship. The Bearcats' Erik van Ingen claimed the individual title for navigating the 8,000-meter course in 25:18.70, which was almost eight seconds faster than teammate Chris Gaube.
Halpin placed 20th among 81 runners in a time of 26:28.20 to lead UAlbany, which recorded its highest finish at the meet since 2004. Redshirt freshman Paul Lagno placed second on the squad and 23rd in the field in 26:38.50, while sophomore Chris Manico finished one spot behind him in 26:43.00. Junior John Moore placed 26th in 26:50.60, and freshman Craig Weiss rounded out the team's top five for finishing 30th in 26:59.30.
The Stony Brook women, which have been receiving votes in the USTFCCCA national poll, ran away with the program's third straight team title by finishing 61 points ahead of Maine. The Black Bears' Corey Conner crossed the finish line first in 17:56.90, which was almost nine seconds ahead of the rest of the field.
Lauterbach finished 17th among 80 competitors in 19:25.50 to pace the UAlbany women. Junior Jenn Pierson placed second on the squad for completing the 5,000-meter course in 19:35.40, which was good for 21st overall. Freshmen Miranda McConnell (23rd, 19:37.50), Melissa Del Rosario (40th, 20:17.40) and Brianna Service (46th, 20:42.40) completed the team's top five.
"We were coming off two great races at our home invitational two weeks ago, and we wanted to carry that same type of effort to the conference meet," said head coach Craig McVey, who fielded the youngest squads at the championships. "When you look at the top 30 or top 35 (finishers), there are several schools graduating a lot of people. So we are very excited (about the future), and we are hoping to use this as another step to finish our season well."
The Great Danes return to action on Saturday, Nov. 14, to compete at the NCAA Northeast Regional at Franklin Park.
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America East Conference Championship Team Standings (Men)
1. Binghamton (30); 2. New Hampshire (60); 3. Stony Brook (95); 4. UAlbany (119); 5. Vermont (129); 6. Boston U. (142); 7. Maine (158); 8. UMBC (196); 9. Hartford (256).
Individual Champion: Erik van Ingen, Binghamton, 25:18.70.
UAlbany Finishers: 20. Sean Halpin 26:28.20; 23. Paul Lagno 26:38.50; 24. Chris Manico 26:43.00; 26. John Moore 26:50.60; 30. Craig Weiss 26:59.30; 32. Cory Greczyn 26:59.90; 38. Ethan Clary 27:06.50; 41. David Rothman 27:11.20; 58. Alex Leuchanka 27:51.80; 70. Jack Kelley 28:47.00.
America East Conference Championship Team Standings (Women)
1. Stony Brook (28); 2. Maine (89); 3. Vermont (98); 4. New Hampshire (103); T-5. UAlbany (144); T-5. Boston U. (144); 7. Binghamton (150); 8. UMBC (178); 9. Hartford (267).
Individual Champion: Corey Conner, Maine, 17:56.90.
UAlbany Finishers: 17. Ada Lauterbach 19:25.50; 21. Jenn Pierson 19:35.40; 23. Miranda McConnell 19:37.10; 40. Melissa Del Rosario 20:17.40; 46. Brianna Service 20:42.40; 59. Maureen Nweke 21:04.90; 62. Mikala Anson 21:11.90; 75. Emily Finnegan 22:13.40; 76. Roxanne Wegman 22:25.50.
Complete Men's Results
Complete Women's Results
