University of Albany Cross Country Squads Sweep Individual and Team Titles at Monmouth Meet - UAlbany Sports 2009

Lincroft, N.J. - Freshman Alex Leuchanka won his first collegiate race and sophomore Ada Lauterbach also finished first overall in leading the UAlbany men's and women's cross country teams to a clean sweep of the team titles at the Monmouth XC Kick-Off held at Thompson Park on Saturday, Sept. 5. It marked the second straight season that the Great Dane harriers, which finished first among five schools in the Division I bracket, swept the team championships.

Leuchanka, the 2008 New York State Federation individual champion and Section II record holder in the 3,200-meter run, crossed the finish line first among 93 runners in 19:01.66, which was 19 seconds ahead of the second-place finisher. Redshirt freshman Paul Lagno was second on the squad and sixth overall, finishing the 6,000-meter course in 19:31.66, while Ethan Clary, another redshirt freshman, placed 10th in 19:44.50. Freshman Sean Halpin (12th, 19:55.76) and junior David Rothman (13th, 19:57.82) rounded out the top-five finishers for the Great Dane men.

Lauterbach's first-place performance among 81 competitors marked the fifth straight season that a Great Dane captured the women's individual title at the season-opening meet. Alyssa Lotmore won the invitational in 2005, Jenna Ortman was first across the line in 2006 and Laura Cummings was victorious in 2007 and 2008.

Lauterbach, who was an ECAC qualifier in the steeplechase last spring in outdoor track and field, navigated the 4,000-meter course in 15:08.85. Freshman Brianna Service, who was making her collegiate debut, finished second in the field in 15:15.15. Junior Ally Panos was fifth overall in 15:34.73, while freshmen Miranda McConnell (6th, 15:34.93) and Melissa Del Rosario (10th, 15:46.75) completed the top five for the squad.

The UAlbany cross country teams will be back in action on Sunday, Sept. 13 when they travel to Williston, Vt. for the America East Pre-Championship Meet. The Catamount Family Center, the site of the invitational, will be the same course used for the America East Championships on Saturday, Oct. 31.


Monmouth XC Kick-Off Division I Team Standings (Men)
1. UAlbany 21 points; 2. Wagner 67 points; 3. Monmouth 68 points; 4. Long Island 105 points; 5. Seton Hall 119 points.

Individual Champion: Alex Leuchanka, UAlbany, 19:01.66.

UAlbany Finishers: 1. Alex Leuchanka 19:01.66; 6. Paul Lagno 19:31.66; 10. Ethan Clary 19:44.50; 12. Sean Halpin 19:55.76; 13. David Rothman 19:57.82; 19. Ryan Florkiewicz 20:13.82; 20. Jack Kelley 20:14.03; 28. Craig Weiss 20:25.91; 33. Chris Manico 20:36.60; 45. Jimmy Carroll 21:05.12; 50. Ian Ellis 21:23.28.

Monmouth XC Kick-Off Division I Team Standings (Women)
1. UAlbany 20 points; 2. Monmouth 46 points; 3. Seton Hall 89 points; 4. Long Island 114 points; 5. Wagner 119 points.

Individual Champion: Ada Lauterbach, UAlbany, 15:08.85.

UAlbany Finishers: 1. Ada Lauterbach 15:08.85; 2. Brianna Service 15:15.15; 5. Ally Panos 15:34.73; 6. Miranda McConnell 15:34.93; 10. Melissa Del Rosario 15:46.75; 13. Mikala Anson 15:56.96; 14. Emily Finnegan 16:03.00; 16. Kristin Grab 16:06.50; 20. Jenn Pierson 16:16.01; 34. Roxanne Wegman 16:50.73; 49. Rachel Wysocki 17:24.43.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information