NCAA Division III Regional Qualifier

11/11/06 @ Veterans Golf Course-Springfield, MA

Men: 30^th of 51                                     8K+

Rob Lind              121^st                      28:19.1

Adam Malek        132^nd                     28:48.0

Chris Mancuso     182^nd                    29:54.4

Andrew Rossi       213^th                     30:40.2

Joe Bourdelais      280^th                    33:44.5

Derrick Willand    288^th                   34:36.6

Matt Tolozcko      296^th                    35:28.9  

Women: no team score                      6K+

Jenelle Cunningham       243^rd        28:56.6

Kara Antrim                    250^th        29:02.5

Jilian Parzych                  284^th        31:00.2

Megan Tuite                    287^th        31:38.1

The Worcester State Cross Country teams competed in their final race of the season on Veterans Day at the Veterans Golf course in Springfield, MA. Participating in very large and competitive fields, the Lancers ran much as expected, putting the finishing touches on a season that can be deemed successful. For the men, as a team, they finished 30^th overall in a field with over 50 schools represented. Local standouts sophomore Rob Lind and freshman Adam Malek again provided the one-two punch as they have all season. Lind (121^st), who ran the same course last year, bettered his time by approximately thirty seconds. Malek (132^nd), who continues to gain valuable experience, ran his usual strong race. Finishing third for the Lancers was Chris Mancuso who ran one of his best races of the year, was just seconds away from his best time for the distance despite the fact the course was both difficult and a little over the 8k distance. Sophomore transfer Andrew Rossi, who has exchanged team places on occasion with Mancuso, ran very strong early on before fading some in the later stages of the race, but still managed a strong finish as the fourth Lancer this week. Rounding out the top five for Worcester State was freshman Joe Bourdelais, who has been improving steadily, especially over the last part of the season. Bourdelais posted his best time of the season for the distance over the tough and challenging terrain.  Sophomore Derrick Willard ran his second best time of the season this week while freshman Matt Tolozcko ran close behind.  With this men’s squad all freshmen and sophomores, high hopes are in place for the upcoming track season in the distance events and even more expectations abound for the next cross country campaign as this group gains experience and seasoning.

For the women, the squad ran as individuals as the women ran the longer 6K distance for this championship qualifier.  As the only competing team member having run the 6K distance before, senior captain, Jenelle Cunningham led the charge for the Lancers. In doing so, Cunningham ran her best time ever over the distance. Following close behind was freshman Kara Antrim.    Sophomore Newcomer Jillian Parzych continues to impress each week as she learns the art of competitive racing. Parzych

made a number of late surges near the end of the race, overtaking several other runners in the process. Freshman Megan Tuite who also continues to improve almost weekly, ran a very strong first half of the race this week, but could not hold the pace.  In this inner-squad battle for team position, Tuite finished just behind teammate Parzych this week.  With just Cunningham, finishing her four years of running with the team, the same enthusiasm is there for the women as is with the men.  The future appears bright both for the upcoming track season and for cross country in the fall of 2007.