The postseason has arrived, and there is little question that the Roadrunner Men's and Women's Cross Country teams are primed for a key challenge this weekend.
When Coach Ryan Hughes' teams gather at the starting line for Sunday's NJCAA Region 19 championship meet at Branch Brook Park in Newark, NJ hosted by Essex County College, they will look to sweep both the Men's and Women's team titles for the second straight year. They had not accomplished a sweep of both titles since 2007 when they turned the tables last season -- but both squads are ready for the challenge again this Sunday, said women's standout Courtney O'Hara, her team's top performer throughout the season.
"As a team we've come together and we're peaking right when we need to," said O'Hara, who led her squad to the 2023 women's crown with her second place, All-Region 19 performance. "We've set very high goals this season and we feel we'll do well at the Region meet once again."
On the men's side, the Division III nationally ranked Runners are poised to repeat last season's Region 19 crown. The Runners have performed well in all of their major meets, including the Jersey Blues Invitational and the recent St. Joseph's Invitational, where they easily topped a strong Division III field in both meets.
At the St. Joseph's Invitational on Oct. 19, RCSJ placed fourth overall and dominated the overall NJCAA field with four award winners in the top 25 of the race. Leading the flock was CJ Gilmore with a 12th place finish in 29:43. Next up were Evan Bongard (20), Branden Lachowicz (21), and Gavin Casella (24) earning awards with Walker Osborne (28) just missing out, but sealing the deal for the team's impressive finish. Also performing well were Kevin Profico (39), Gary Schwegel, Sean Gallo and Mike Thomas (51) to round up a great trip to NY.
The women's team was equally productive at Sunken Meadow led by Courtney O'Hara with the highest finish of the day in 8th place. Courtney was the 2nd fastest NCAA III runner on the day and earned an award for finishing in the top 25 of the race. The remainder of the Lady Roadrunners flew over the hills of the course and all set personal bests for the season. Gabby Szwed and Maddy O'Donnell placed 32nd and 44th respectively and were both under 27:00. Tying her personal best was Grace Wahl in 62nd with a time of 28:18. Wrapping up the scoring was Georgia Lorenzetti in 78th running her fastest time of the season by about 30 seconds.
Coach Hughes was upbeat about the performance at Sunken Meadow State Park, one of the most famous and toughest courses in New York State, and knows his teams are ready for the Region meet.
"We had a great trip and were able to meet the challenge with ease," he noted.
For the Region 19 championships at Branch Brook Park, the men's race will kick off at 11 am followed by the women's race at 11:45 am. See additional information below.
Region 19 Men's & Women's Cross Country Championship
Sunday, October 27, 2024
Branch Brook Park, Newark, NJ
Hosted by Essex County College
Men's 8k Race – 11:00 A.M.
Women's 5k Race – 11:45 A.M.