ALLIANCE @ Keene State 10/28/06

Men:  Team finished 7th

Women:  Team finished 8th
 

The Worcester State Cross Country teams competed in some tough weather conditions at the Alliance Championships held at Keene State on October 28^th, 2006. Despite strong winds and pelting rain during the competition, the Lancers attempted to turn adversity into a positive. Their good attitude and determination produced solid individual and team performances.  For the men, Sophomore Rob Lind finished 19th overall as the sixth MASCAC competitor in the meet. Not far behind, as has been the case all season, was freshman standout Adam Malek, who was honored last week as the MASCAC rookie of the year. This week Malek finished in 28^th place overall. He was the 9^th MASCAC finisher overall compared to number fourteen last week and again the top MASCAC rookie in the competition. Having a strong race in the mud and the muck, was sophomore Andrew Rossi who finished 69^th place overall. Sophomore Chris Mancuso was next for the Lancers in 80^th place. Mancuso ran very aggressively at the start but paid the price in the later stages of the race in the difficult conditions. Rounding out the top five this week was freshman Joe Bourdelais, who ran the best race of his first collegiate season despite the weather.  Bourdelais, who also had a strong race last week before taking a wrong turn, showed that his work ethic is beginning to pay off.  Sophomore Derrick Willand also ran another strong race after having his best race last week while freshman Norman Everett finished with a powerful kick to edge out a competitor at the line.  For the women, Junior Lindsay Shields, was the first Lady Lancer finisher taking 23^rd overall as the eighth MASCAC finisher equaling her spot last week at the MASCAC conference championship.  On her way back this week was freshman Kara Antrim who is starting to recover after having a few “down” weeks.  Antrim finished 49^th overall with a solid race throughout.  Senior captain Jenelle Cunningham was 62^nd overall to finish as the third Worcester State runner this week.  Freshman Megan Tuite continues to improve, having run very competitive races over the past several weeks. Tuite finished as the fourth Lancer for the team. She was followed closely by teammates junior Sally Geary and sophomore Jill Parzych. Geary, who has had several setbacks this season, continues to work toward consistency this final part of the season while Parzych, new to the sport this year, is finding that the experience gained each week is invaluable. As the season get near its end, the squads prepare for the NCAA regional qualifier on November 11, 2006.