University of Albany's Cross Country Teams Post Highest Finishes Ever at IC4A and ECAC Championships - UAlbany Sports 2009

Bronx, N.Y. - Led by freshman All-East selections Alex Leuchanka and Miranda McConnell, the UAlbany cross country teams posted second-place finishes in the University Division races at the IC4A and ECAC championships on Saturday, Nov. 21 at Van Cortlandt Park. Temple and Marist won the men's and women's team titles, respectively.

The UAlbany men's second-place finish was its highest ever at the meet, while the women's runner-up performance, its third overall, matched its best ever. In addition, the average time of the top five finishers for both the men (26:36.38) and the women (18:49.24) were school records at Van Cortlandt Park. Sophomore Ada Lauterbach and junior Jenn Pierson joined Leuchanka and McConnell as All-East picks.

The men's top five finishers were all freshmen and redshirt freshmen. Leuchanka navigated the 8,000-meter course in 26:07.3 to place ninth among 204 runners, while a pack of Great Danes that finished within five seconds of each other rounded out the team's top five. Ethan Clary was 29th in 26:40.8, while Sean Halpin crossed the tape 30th in 26:44.7. Paul Lagno turned in a 31st-place performance for circling the course in 26:44.7, and Craig Weiss was 32nd overall with a time of 26:45.5.

Four of the top five finishers for the women were underclassmen, while the three All-East honorees set a new program standard. McConnell finished first on the squad for completing the 5,000-meter circuit in 18:27.5, which placed her 11th among 192 competitors. Lauterbach finished 13th overall in 18:30.2, and was directly followed by Pierson, who posted a mark of 18:36.2. Freshmen Brianna Service (25th, 18:56.4) and Melissa Del Rosario (59th, 19:35.9) completed the team's top five.

"Both squads had great days," said head coach Craig McVey, who mentored the youngest teams in the America East Conference this season. "This was a great springboard to next fall. Our women and our men know where we can go from here. They also understand that it will be a daily undertaking, and they are ready to embrace what (we are looking to accomplish moving forward)."


IC4A Championship Team Standings (University Division)
1. Temple 70; 2. UAlbany 131; 3. New Hampshire 147; 4. Army 167; 5. Pittsburgh 169; 6. Rutgers 197; 7. Binghamton 198; 8. Rider 218; 9. Central Connecticut 258; 10. Colgate 274; 11. NJIT 281; 12. Fordham 285; 13. Manhattan 289; 14. Fairfield 363; 15. Sacred Heart 372; 16. Mansfield 382; 17. Loyola 420; 18. Monmouth 428; 19. Holy Cross 442; 20. Hofstra 631; 21. Siena 637; 22. St. Francis, N.Y.; 23. Seton Hall 680; 24. Dowling 781.

Individual Champion: Christian Baumbach, NJIT, 25:36.8.
UAlbany Finishers: 9. Alex Leuchanka 26:07.3; 29. Ethan Clary 26:40.8; 30. Sean Halpin 26:43.6; 31. Paul Lagno 26:44.7; 32. Craig Weiss 26:45.5; 36. Chris Manico 26:51.1; 46. David Rothman 27:07.2; 55. John Moore 27:19.1; 69. Cory Greczyn 27:31.1; 80. Ian Ellis 27:37.2; 86. Ryan Florkiewicz 27:41.6.

ECAC Championship Team Standings (University Division)
1. Marist 85; 2. UAlbany 119; 3. Towson 137; 4. Binghamton 147; 5. Sacred Heart 188; 6. New Hampshire 199; 7. Loyola 206; 8. Rider 208; 9. Monmouth 217; 10. Fordham 233; 11. George Mason 297; T-12. Mansfield 342; T-12. Holy Cross 342; 14. Seton Hall 378; 15. Fairfield 384; 16. Colgate 389; 17. VCU 408; 18. St. John's 411; 19. Hofstra 512; 20. Siena 543.

Individual Champion: Brence Edwards, Mansfield, 17:25.0.
UAlbany Finishers: 11. Miranda McConnell 18:27.5; 13. Ada Lauterbach 18:30.2; 14. Jenn Pierson 18:36.2; 25. Brianna Service 18:56.4; 59. Melissa Del Rosario 19:35.9; 68. Maureen Nweke 19:45.5; 98. Ally Panos 20:04.4; 145. Zuliana Fontanez 21:02.1; 164. Roxanne Wegman 21:28.5.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information