Cross country adds national success to resumé
Lisa Kane
The fall 2008 men’s and women’s cross country teams at MCC may all be newcoming freshmen, but their statistics show more strength than the “new-comer” title implies.Both teams qualified for the National Junior College Athletic Association National Championship by finishing in one of the top five positions at the NJCAA Region I competition on Oct. 28.
MCC’s women’s cross country team placed 15th overall nationally in the five-kilometer event, and their coach, Eamonn Condon, is proud to see their success.
“Competing at such a high level was a good positive experience for them. They came in as starting freshmen and already placed nationally, that’s impressive,” Condon said.
MCC’s men’s cross country team placed 28th nationally in the 8k event.
Runners Bruce Logan, C.J. Griner and Joshua Burton finished first, second and third respectively.
“I’m proud of the way both teams performed at regionals and nationals, and I’m confident that my returning runners will perform even better next year,” Condon said.
Each team competed with seven runners; the top five runners were scored one point each for their finishing place.
First place received one point and second place received two.
The team with the lowest score is deemed the winner.
Each female runner also placed individually in the 5k race independently. Samantha Meyerhoff finished 53rd overall, Erin Norris finished 70th, while Taylor Ross and Mary Ricks finished 85th and 86th out of more than 240 runners.
“We only had one injury; Mary Ricks of the women’s team acquired an injury during practice before nationals, but although she was limping through the workouts she toughed it out and came out near the top,” Condon said.
“It was a learning experience for all, and I’m looking forward to our next season.” he added.
The cross country team also competed in the NJCAA Half Marathon in Overland Park, Kansas on Nov. 22.
Finishing first for the men’s and women’s teams, Samatha Meyerhoff placed fifth and Justin Royer took 34th overall.
As a team, the women placed fifth and the men finished 11th.
After a surprising season, the team hopes to return with similar results.
Samatha Meyerhoff has been named a Cross Country All-American as well as Coach’s Choice All-American this year.
