Fairfield, Conn. – The MAAC men’s cross country teams battled for an opportunity to run in the 2013 Division I NCAA championships during the NCAA Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regionals that took place Friday afternoon. The Northeast regionals, hosted by Manhattan College, took place at Van Cortlandt Park in Riverdale, New York where more than 500 runners from nearly 80 teams took place in the event. The Iona College men’s cross country team was named 2013 MAAC cross country champions at Van Cortlandt Park after racing in the MAAC championship on November 1st.
The Iona College Gaels men’s cross country team, led by senior Matt Gillespie who finished the 10k course second overall with a time of 30:18.40, barely missed out on an automatic qualifier bid to the NCAA championship next week in Terre Haute, Indiana finishing in third place behind Syracuse and Columbia. The Gaels effective finish earned the team an at large bid to compete in the 2013 NCAA championship along with 12 other at large bids and 18 automatic qualifiers.
Rounding out the MAAC’s Northeast regionals, Jeffery Antolos of Canisius led the Griffs with a 71st place finish overall sporting a time of 31:52.50. Brendan Copley of Quinnipiac finished 100th, leading the Bobcats with a time of 32:17.15. Fairfield’s Brian Cleary’s time of 32:24.10 led the Stags with a 115th place finish. Marist’s lead runner Ryan Scrudato finished in 122nd place with a time of 32:32.90. Manhattan’s Mikael Rojeras finished 151st leading the Jaspers with a time of 33:04.80. Ryan Egan led the Siena Saints finishing 181st in 33:30.60. Niagara’s Sam Reedy led the Purple Eagles with a time of 33:36.80 finishing 186th overall. In the Mid-Atlantic regionals, Monmouth’s Khari Bowen led the Hawks with a 25th place finish in 30:44.15. The Broncs’ Anthony Dentino finished 38th leading Rider with a time of 31:05.90.
The NCAA championship will take place next Saturday, November 23rd in Terre, Haute, Indiana, where the Iona Gaels will represent the MAAC for a shot at a national title.
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
The MAAC, headquartered in Edison, N.J., consists of 11 member institutions in 2013: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter's University and Siena College. For more on the conference please visit, www.maacsports.com. Follow the MAAC on Facebook and Twitter: @MAACSports. Follow MAAC Cross Country on Twitter using the hashtag #MAACXC.
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