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PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - - For the third time in four years the Wilmington University men's cross country team captured the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Cross Country Championships while the women's team had the individual winner in placing fourth overall on Belmont Plateau on Sunday morning.
The men's team earned 52 points, picking up four runners that finishing in the Top-15, to earn their third team championship in the last four years. The Wildcats also captured the 2012 and 2013 CACC Championships while finishing second last season.
Senior Megan Ferrick led the women's team, as she beat the field by more than nine seconds to capture CACC Women's Runner of the Year honors. It is the first time since the 2012 season the women's team had the top finisher. The team scored 139 points to finish fourth overall.
Junior Ken Fontal paced the men, as he placed second overall in the 8K event in 27:33.9. Senior Kevin McLaughlin followed in seventh place overall, crossing the line in 28:30.2. Sophomore Andrew Milham finished 11th overall with a time of 29:49.0 while freshman Miguel Suero was the fourth Wildcat finisher in 14th overall with a time of 29:13.2. All four Wildcats earned All-CACC honors for finishing in the Top-15 of the field.
Freshman Manuel Suero rounded out the Wildcats' scoring efforts for the morning, finishing 18th overall in 29:26.9. Senior Quinn Marvel was also on the course for the Wildcats, placing 33rd overall with a time of 30:17.5. Freshman Ryan Wilson rounded out the Wildcats seven runners with a 40th place finish, crossing the line in 30:51.5.
The Wildcats beat Nyack by 28 points while Goldey-Beacom placed third with 103 points.
Ferrick entered the woods on Belmont Plateau in third place overall, but exited in front by 22 seconds. She continued to cruise to the finish line to win the event. She crossed the line in 19:54.5, the only runner under the 20-minute mark in the 5K event.
Junior Rachel Jones was the second Wildcat to finish, placing 23rd overall with a time of 21:19.7. Senior Bailey Brooks placed 29th overall with a time of 21:42.7 while freshman Tori Vickers finished 36th overall with a time of 22:07.9. Junior Christine Czajkowski rounded out the Wildcats' scoring with a 50th place finish and a time of 24:01.6.
Senior Morgan Ferrick was also on the course for the Wildcats, placing 62nd overall with a time of 24:13.1. Freshman Tara Langan rounded out the Wildcats on Sunday, finishing 67th overall in 25:09.8.
Philadelphia earned 31 points to repeat as CACC Championship whiles Nyack finished second with 60 points. Georgian Court finished just ahead of the Wildcats in third place, finishing with 98 points.
The Wildcats will look to carry the momentum from the CACC Championships on Sunday into the NCAA Division II East Regional Championships. Franklin Pierce will host the NCAA Division II East Regional Championship on Sunday, November 8, in Hopkinton, N.H.
