University of Albany Men's Cross Country Captures First America East Conference Title - UAlbany Sports 2011

Albany, N.Y. - Chris Burke paced the University at Albany men's cross country team to their first America East Conference Championship title on Saturday, October 29th, as the program joined the league in 2001. Burke completed the 8,000-meter course in 24:25.67, as the Great Danes placed three runners in the top-ten.

"We wheeled out a brand new course this year, we're really proud of that and to win our first conference title at home is awesome. It really is ", said coach McVey on UAlbany's first cross country title since entering the America East Conference. "Chris is a senior for us and Paul has another year of eligibility for us and they both ran smart races. They had an opportunity to run on the course at our invitation two weeks ago so that played a factor in how well they did. But they both ran smart races and I 'm just really, really proud of them."

UAlbany and Boston University tied with 60 points each, but the Great Danes were awarded the tie-breaker with Burke's finishing time. The Terriers and Great Danes edged the third-place finisher, University of Maine by nine points. Riley Masters of Maine took his second straight America East championship title in 24:18.66 to set a new course record and finish ahead of 84 competitors.

Coming in after Burke, UAlbany's 2011 45th Annual Invitational winner, Paul Lagno finished fifth overall in 24:47.19. Completing the Great Dane top-five finishers were Ethan Clary (24:50.24, 8th), Alex Leuchanka (25:08.34, 13th), and Chris Buchanan (25:33.09, 32nd).


Paw Prints: Coach Craig McVey and his staff were voted by fellow America East Conference coaches as Coaching Staff of the Year ... The Great Danes will compete in the NCAA Northeast Regional (Amherst, N.Y.) on November 12th and the IC4A Championship (Van Cordlandt Park, Bronx, N.Y.) on November 19th to conclude the 2011 season.