Wilmington Places Seven All-CACC Runners as Women Finish Fifth, Men Second at 2014 CACC Cross Country Championships

Wilmington Places Seven All-CACC Runners as Women Finish Fifth, Men Second at 2014 CACC Cross Country Championships

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - - The Wilmington University cross country teams finished with seven combined members on the All-Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Teams after the women placed fifth and the men second at the 2014 CACC Cross Country Championships on Belmont Plateau at Fairmont Park on Sunday.

Running to win their third CACC Championship in a row, the men fell just short as they collected 66 points and had four members in the top-15, but Philadelphia collected 45 points to steal the title away from the Wildcats.

The women's team placed three members in the top-15 and collected 123 points for a fifth place finish. The Wildcats were just two points from Bloomfield in fourth place while Philadelphia ran away with the championship with 29 points.

Starting the Championships off with the women's 5K race, the Wildcats were led by Megan Ferrick's fourth place finish. The junior finished in 20:19, 24 second behind the leader. Senior Sarabeth Oppermann placed 10th overall with a time of 20:49 while classmate Jeanette Halliburton finished 12th overall with a time of 20:50.

The top-15 finishers at the CACC Championships earn All-CACC accolades.

Senior Tijen Ozcan was the fourth finisher for the Wildcats, placing 47th overall with a time of 22:42. Junior Morgan Ferrick closed out the scoring for the Wildcats, placing 50th overall with a time of 22:46.

Sophomore Rachel Jones finished 52nd for the Wildcats with a time of 23:26 while junior Bailey Brooks rounded out the Wildcats at the CACC Championship with a 58th place finish in a time of 23:48.

The men were led by senior Tyler Muse's fourth place finish, crossing the line in 27:48. Freshman Andrew Milham placed 11th overall in a time of 28:30 while Ken Fontal placed 14th overall with a time of 28:53. Senior Mark Hannagan round out the All-CACC performers for the Wildcats in 15th place overall, crossing the line in 28:56.

Senior Matt Mossman closed out the men's scores in the five-mile race, finishing 22nd overall with a time of 29:24. Junior Quinn Marvel was on the heels of Mossman, finishing 23rd overall with a time of 29:33. Senior Mike Wright rounded out the Wildcats at the 2014 CACC Championship with a 51st place finish in 32:55.

Georgian Court's Jessica Handsaker took home the 2014 Women's Cross Country Rookie of the Year award with a second place finish and the top freshman finisher while Philadelphia's Emilie Barton earned the 2014 Women's Cross Country Runner of the Year award by earning medalist honors in a time of 19:55.

Goldey-Beacom's Chandler Brooks was named the 2014 Men's Cross Country Rookie of the Year with an eighth place finish while Philadelphia's Curran Kneebone earned the 2014 Men's Cross Country Runner of the Year award with a winning time of 27:17.

Kneebone's coach, Dave Thomas, was named the 2014 BSN Sports Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year while Bloomfield's Elson Smajlaj was named the 2014 BSN Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year, in a vote by the conference's sports information directors.

Bloomfield took home the 2014 Women's Cross Country Anne Jackson Memorial Team Sportsmanship Award while the University of the Sciences earned the 2014 Men's Cross Country Rob Roman Memorial Team Sportsmanship Award, in a vote by the conference teams.

The Wildcats now have three weeks to prepare for the 2014 NCAA Division II East Regional Championship and finish in the top three to move onto the 2014 NCAA National Championship. The East Regional Championship is set for November 21 at Mine Falls Park in Nashua, N.H.

AGATE:

2014 CACC Women's Cross Country Championship Team Results:

1 – Philadelphia (29 points)
2 – Nyack (69)
3 – Georgian Court (99)
4 – Bloomfield (121)
5 – Wilmington (123)
6 – USciences (135)
7 – Felician (178)
8 – Caldwell (223)
9 – Goldey-Beacom (249)
10 – Chestnut Hill (282)
11 – Holy Family (292)
12 – Post (339)
13 – Dominican (353)
14 – Concordia (384)

2014 CACC Men's Cross Country Championship Team Results:

1 – Philadelphia (45 points)
2 – Wilmington (66)
3 – Goldey-Beacom (86)
4 – Bloomfield (134)
5 – Chestnut Hill (171)
6 – Post (179)
7 – Georgian Court (184)
8 – Felician (213)
9 – USciences (219)
10 – Nyack (222)
11 – Concordia (272)
12 – Caldwell (295)