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Current Public News
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| Women Win, Men's Cross Country Team Makes It a Three-Peat at the USATF New England Cross Country Championships |
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| 11/9/2008 |
The women had their work cut out for them in trying to reclaim their New England Cross Country Championship title at Franklin Park in Boston on Sunday, November 9th, but strong performances and gutsy running put them back on the winner's podium. The women have dominated this race, winning five consecutive titles from 2002 to 2006, but had to settle for second in 2007. This year, it was a mere three points that seperated the B.A.A. from a strong New Balance Boston team.
Kasie Enman, the B.A.A.'s top finisher at the Mayor's Cup, and Julie Spolidoro, the New England Runner November Athlete of the Month, led the team with their top-ten performances. Lara Johnson, who was 30th in last years race, improved to 12th place this year to finish as the team's third runner. She led a pack that included Mariko Holbrook, Mary Proulx, club newcomer Kristin Murphy, and Amy Gosztyla that was critical in helping the women to their seventh title in nine years. The five were separated by a mere 11 seconds and six places, displacing the competition and clinching the title.
Cathy Lifschultz, competing in the Master's category, placed second in the division and combined with Barbara Bell and Mae Shoemaker to take third in the womens master's team competition.
For the men, history repeated itself out as the men's race was a battle between the B.A.A. and local rival New Balance Boston. For the third consecutive year, the B.A.A. men came out on top. The men have now won this event six times since 2000 and have not finished lower than second during that time. Over the past five years, the B.A.A. and the former Reebok Boston have traded titles with 2003, 2004 and 2007 being decided by only a few points. In addition to the last three titles, the men also took top honors in 2001, 2002, and 2004.
Rick Rountree who, like Spolidoro, was selected as New England Runner's Athlete of the Month in November, was the first B.A.A. athlete across the line in 6th place; Mark Miller and Andrew Hill were right behind him in 10th and 11th place respectively. Both Rountree and Hill are new editions to the roster. Matthew Ely employed his usual strategy of moving up during the race to finish in 15th place and David Bridgewater, third here in 2007, was 16th. The top five men were seperated by 28 seconds and the top seven, which included Ben Schmeckpeper and Wilson Perez, all finished within 31 seconds of one another. It was this team effort that gave the B.A.A. a comfortable 15 point victory over second place.
In the men's masters race, Bob Collins placed 21st overall and Ken Leinbach finished in 30th, right ahead of Allan Giesen who was competing in his first race for the B.A.A..
Next up for the open teams is the USATF National Club Cross Country Championships in Spokane, WA on Saturday, December 13th. The meet will feature the top clubs from across the United States as they vie for top honors and bragging rights as the nation's top cross country team.
WOMEN'S RESULTS
3. Kasie Enman 20:58
7. Julie Spolidoro 21:13
12. Lara Johnson 22:00
13. Mariko Holbrook 22:01
14. Mary Proulx 22:05
16. Kristin Murphy 22:08
18. Amy Gosztyla 22:11
22. Maria Varela 22:28
26. Carly Graytock 22:37
34. Renee Knapp 22:05
47. Stephanie Westcott 24:12
56. Cathy Lifschultz 24:52 (2nd place Master)
83. Barbara Bell 27:05
101. Mae Shoemaker 30:16
WOMEN'S TEAM RESULTS
1. B.A.A. 37
2. New Balance Boston 40
3. GBTC 79
MEN'S RESULTS
6. Rick Rountree 31:16
10. Mark Miller 31:34
11. Andrew Hill 31:35
15. Matthew Ely 31:41
16. David Bridgewater 31:44
18. Ben Schmeckpepper 31:45
21. Wilson Perez 31:47
22. Eric Blake 31:48
24. Matthew Carter 32:02
32. Terry Shea 32:23
35. Josh Ferenc 32:30
41. Will Dobbie 32:38
63. Joseph Lust 33:24
68. Mark LaRosa 33:34
71. Joshua Gordon 33:43
87. Mike Brown Dowling 34:32
96. Deon Barrett 34:56
103. Louis Raffetto 35:20
117. Joe Robinson 36:29
120. John Barrett 37:25
MEN'S TEAM RESULTS
1. B.A.A 33
2. New Balance Boston 48
3. GBTC 87
WOMEN'S MASTERS TEAM RESULTS
1. Liberty AC 11
2. PR Racing Team 19
3. BAA 21
MEN'S MASTERS RESULTS
21. Robert Collins 28:24
30. Ken Leinbach 29:14
31. Allan Giesen 29:19
49. 621 Dave Menard 31:34
52. Mark Bell 31:57
54. Andrew Gordon 31:58
Visit Cool Running for New England Cross Country Results.
BAA Team Performances at USA Track & Field - New England Cross Country Championships
1990 Women 1st;
1997 Men 3rd; Women 3rd; Men's Masters 3rd.
1998 Men 2nd; Women 1st; Men's Masters 1st.
1999 Men 3rd; Women 2nd; Men's Masters 2nd.
2000 Men 2nd; Women 1st; Men's Masters 4th.
2001 Men 1st; Women 2nd; Men's Masters 3rd.
2002 Men 1st; Women 1st; Men's Masters 2nd;
2003 Men 2nd; Women 1st; Men's Masters 1st.
2004 Men 1st; Women 1st; Men's Masters: No Team.
2005 Men 2nd; Women's 1st; Men's Masters No Team.
2006 Men 1st; Women's 1st; Men's Masters No Team.
2007 Men 1st; Women 2nd; Men's Masters 2nd;
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