WILLIAMSTOWN, MASS. 11/15/08 - For the first time since
joining Division III in 1997, Keene State College's cross country
teams won't be represented at the NCAA Championships. Both
KSC men's and women's teams turned in disappointing performances at
the New England Regional race held at Mt. Greylock High
School in Williamstown on Saturday.
The Owl men, which entered the race ranked 13th nationally and
fourth in New England, finished seventh (220 points) while the Owl
women, who came into the race ranked seventh regionally, placed
ninth (274 points). Both teams needed to finish in the top
five to earn a spot at the nationals.
Keene State's problems started early when sophomore Craig
MacPherson (Derry, N.H.) fell two miles into the race and
eventually dropped out. Sophomore Jeff
Trethewey (Merrimack, N.H.), who along with MacPherson had
been front-runners for KSC all-season, also had a bad day on the
course.
KSC Coach Peter Thomas was disappointed with his
teams' performance. "We have a talented team, but we just
under-performed today," he said.
Sophomore Brandon Schillemat (Nelson, N.H.) was
the Owls' top finisher, placing 30th with a time of 27:03.
Junior Jared Samuel (Londonderry, N.H.) was
35th (27:08) followed by junior Patrick Davis
(Wethersfield, Conn.) who was 43rd (27:18), sophomore Eric
MacKnight (Newtown, N.H.) was 47th (27:25) and senior
Jason Garrity (Topsfield, Mass.) was 65th
(27:43).
Led by Edgar Kosgey's first place finish (25:52), Williams had 36
points to run away with the championship.
Junior Rita Marcotte (Heath, Mass.), who was
looking for an individual berth, led the Owl women. She finished
27th on the 6,000-meter course with a time of 23:48. Other
top finishers for the Owls included freshman Andrea
Walsh (Bolton, Conn.) who was 38th (24:03), sophomore
Amy Knoblock (Plymouth, Mass.) who was 44th
(24:24), freshman Heather Pierce (Buckland, Mass.)
who was 78th (24:57), and freshman Natalie Ferro
(Dennis, Mass.) who was 87th (25:11).
Elise Tropiano of Amherst won the race with a time of 21:49.
Middlebury with 57 points won the team title.
