Excitement and overall positive self-confidence are running rampant throughout the lineups for the Roadrunner Men's and Women's Cross Country teams this Fall following a solid regular season showing in meets throughout the mid-Atlantic region.
When Coach Ryan Hughes' teams gather at the starting line for Saturday's NJCAA Region 19 championship meet hosted by Thaddeus Stevens College, they will look to bring home both the Men's and Women's team titles for the first time in several years.
"Everyone has worked hard all season and both the men's and women's teams are well prepared for their meets," said Hughes. "We have a chance to win both races, but the runners all know it will take their best efforts of the year to get the job done."
On the men's side, the Runners hope to avenge last season's razor-thin loss in the Region 19 finals to Brookdale CC. The Runners placed a close second to Brookdale. The Jersey Blues and perhaps Bergen CCC will again be the toughest opponents in the race for RCSJ this year, but Coach Hughes knows his runners are ready for battle.
The top two men's runners throughout the Fall have been sophomore Anas Bensaoud and sophomore Charlie Hepler, both of whom have legitimate chances to win the individual Region 19 crown.
Also expected to contribute in the team race will be Gavin Casella, Branden Lachowicz, Derek Wyllie and John Schilling.
In the women's race, freshman Courtney O'Hara, a Gateway graduate, has been the team's leading runner throughout the season and hopes to lead the Runners to a repeat of their Region 19 crown in Fall 2022.
Right behind Courtney will be sophomore Mackenzie Cochran, freshman Alexandra Campo, freshman Madison O'Donnell, sophomore Susana Serrano, and freshman Grace Wahl.
The men's race will kick off at 11 am followed by the women's race at 11:45 am. See additional information below.
Men's & Women's Cross Country Championship
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Lancaster County Central Park | Lancaster, PA
1049 Rockford Rd, Lancaster, PA 17602
Men's 8k Race – 11:00 A.M.
Women's 5k Race – 11:45 A.M.
Hosted by:
Thaddeus Steven's College of Technology
Meet Information: https://www.region19.org/sports/mxc/2023-24/releases/20231024y1imfa