Eph Men Win NCAA Division III New England Regional Championships; Edgar Kosgey '09 Wins 8K Race
Complete Results (women's first)
The top 35 finishers earn All-Region honors.
Williamstown, MA-- Two very different emotions coursed through the hearts of the Eph men following their victory in the NCAA Divsion III New England Regional Cross-Country Championships. On one hand, there was pure euphoria. "We're Regional champs!" shouted Anthony Raduazo '12, after the race. On the other hand, there was a feeling of unfinished business, as though today's race was just another stop on the road to a much larger goal.
That's been a theme this year for the Eph men's cross country team, and no doubt it has played a large role in their success. Victories at the Little Three Championship, NESCAC Championship, ECAC Championship, and now Regional Championship were briefly satisfying, but not entirely fulfilling. The team recognizes that it has the opportunity to achieve something special, and the largest goal is still on the table. At a team goals meeting earlier this season, one grandiose goal was echoed again and again: let's place on the podium (top 4) at the NCAA Championships.
Such a goal is obviously not achieved overnight. It requires consistent dedication to practice, healthy athletes, and smart racing. At times, the goal seemed very distant. But after a very strong performance at the Regional Championships, the goal is seeming less and less far-fetched.
With five finishers in the top 15 and a team score of only 36, the Ephs were definitely the strongest team in the field. Amherst placed second with 122 points, securing the second automatic bid to the NCAAs. Trinity finished third with 143 points, Brandeis was fourth with 158, and Bowdoin was fifth with a score of 204. Trinity, Brandeis, and Bowdoin all have a chance to race at the NCAAs depending upon the results of other Regional Championships from around the country.
In addition to capturing the team victory, the Ephs also had the top finisher as Edgar Kosgey '10 won the race.
When asked about his team's keys to success, Coach Pete Farwell put is succinctly: "Talent, training, and teamwork," he responded. Team support might have been the fourth ingredient; the turnout at Mt. Greylock Regional High School, especially from Eph fans, was enormous.
Like every week, Sunday means it's time to go back to work for another distance run. However, with the team tapering for the NCAAs, this Sunday's distance run will be a bit shorter than most. "The hay is in the barn," remarked Brendan Christian '09, summarizing the fact that no additional gains can be made from training to better one's performance at Nationals.
The Eph men's team has worked hard this season, and they have big dreams to go with their big performances. Sure, a podium finish at Nationals would be nice, but as Jeff Perlis '10 remarked with a coy grin spredding across his face, "First is on the podium."
