For the Roadrunner Women's and Men's Cross Country teams, the NJCAA Region 19 Championships at White Clay Creek State Park (Delaware) proved to be a showcase of their solid talents -- with the women rolling to a team crown and the men falling painstakingly short of making it a team sweep.
The Women's team, led by All-Region performers Autumn Heaton, Mackenzie Cochran, Alyssa Connor, Ashton Wiseley, and Susana Serrano, cruised to the team title with 15 points.
Heaton turned in the team's fast time in 22:24.98, good for second place overall in the Region 19 D III race, followed by Cochran (3rd, 23:43.60), Connor (4th), Wiseley (5th) and Serrano (7th). Thaddeus Stevens College's Kylynn Frankfurt won the D III individual crown in 21:27.90.
All- Region awards were earned by the top 7 individual winners in each race. The team winners advance to the National Championships at Stanley Park in Massachusetts Nov. 5.
"We're happy with our races today, and hopefully it's a good preparation for Nationals." said Connor, a sophomore.
The men's race, meanwhile, could not have been closer. Brookdale won the team crown with 26 points with the Runners right behind them with 29 points.
Roadrunner freshman runners CJ Gilmore and Joey Malec each enjoyed outstanding outings in earning All-Region honors. Along with teammates Charlie Hepler, Derek Wyllie and John Schilling, they helped the Runners enjoy a slim 3-point advantage until the closing portion of the race as Brookdale rallied into the lead to steal the race.
Gilmore (5th, 30:15.20) and Malec (6th, 30:18.40) earned All-Region honors with Hepler (8th, 30:32.20) falling just short of Region all-star status. Brookdale's Teddy Purdon emerged as Region 19 D III individual champion, posting a time of 28:00.40 on the White Clay Creek course.
"We thought we could pull it off, but we were too close with Brookdale at the end," said Gilmore, a freshman from Audubon. "It could have gone either way but they had just a slight edge with their pack."
View Region 19 Photo Album Here
View Region 19 Race Results Here
Coach Ryan Hughes looks forward to the NJCAA Division III National Cross Country Championships will take place Saturday, November 5 at Stanley Park in Westfield, MA.
"Everyone turned in outstanding performances here at the Regions, and I know the runners will all be motivated heading into Nationals," said Coach Hughes. "After this competition, the runners are determined to lower their times even more."
Region 19 Tournament Preview
The RCSJ - Gloucester Men's and Women's Cross Country teams will continue their Fall 2022 season when they compete in the NJCAA Region 19 Championship Meets on Saturday, October 29, at White Clay Creek State Park in Newark, DE.
The Women's team, ranked No. 5 nationally, will race first starting at 11:00 am followed by the Men's race at 11:45 am. The course is loaded with trails winding up and down hills.
All- Region awards are earned by the top 7 individual winners in each race. The team winners advance to the National Championships at Stanley Park in Massachusetts Nov. 4.
Top performers for the Runners' women's team will likely be freshman Autumn Heaton, sophomore Alyssa Connor and and freshman Mackenzie Cochran along with sophomore Ashton Wiseley and freshman Susana Serrano. The Runners should have the best shot at emerging as Region champions with Ocean County as the lone challenger.
"We're all healthy and excited about competing in the meet," said Coach Ryan Hughes. "We've had some excellent peaks during the season, so we're ready to go."
On the men's side, RCSJ's top runner has been freshman C.J. Gilmore, who is a strong challenger for the Region individual title. Other top teammates will be freshmen Charlie Hepler and Joey Malec along with teammates Derek Wyllie, John Schilling, Ben Kellum and Mike Abate.
In the team race, the Runners should be in a tight battle with GSAC rival Brookdale CC.
MEET INFORMATION
NJCAA Region 19 Cross Country Championships
Saturday, October 28, 2022
@ White Clay Creek State Park
880 New London Road
Newark DE 19711
11 am -- Women's Race
11:45 am -- Men's Race
Directions to White Clay Creek State Park:
Directions to White Clay Creek State Park
880 New London Rd, Newark, DE 19711
From Philadelphia (from I-95 South)
Take exit 11 toward Port of Wilmington/Baltimore onto I-495 S (Vietnam Veterans Memorial Hwy)
Keep left onto I-95 (Delaware Tpke)
Take exit 3 to merge onto DE-273W (Christiana Road) towards Newark
Go approximately 3.9 miles and turn right onto Capitol Trail
After .2 miles turn left onto E Cleveland Ave
Go 1.2 miles and turn right onto State Rte 896/ New London Rd.
You will arrive at the destination after 2.2 miles (park entrance on right)
From the Delaware Memorial Bridge (NJ)
Head northwest on I-295 S for 4.4 miles
Merge onto I-95 S and go approximately 4.1 miles
Take exit 3 to merge onto DE-273W (Christiana Road) towards Newark
Go approximately 3.9 miles and turn right onto Capitol Trail
After .2 miles turn left onto E Cleveland Ave
Go 1.2 miles and turn right onto State Rte 896/ New London Rd.
You will arrive at the destination after 2.2 miles (park entrance on right)