Nov. 2, 2008
Men's Results | Women's Results
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Behind a fifth-place and all-conference finish from freshman Kyle Dawson (Coatesville, Pa.), the Nittany Lion men's cross country team posted a fourth-place finish at the Big Ten Championships, Sunday at the University of Michigan Golf Course. The Nittany Lions' outstanding finish was the highest since the 2000 season for the Penn State men, who also bested several ranked programs on the day, as well the seventh top-five finish since the Nittany Lions joined the Big Ten in 1991, and the third in the last 13 years.
The Nittany Lion women turned in a seventh-place finish in the team standings in arguably the deepest distance conference in the country, which included seven programs ranked in the top 21 nationally. Junior Bridget Franek (Hiram, Ohio) led the way for the women with a ninth-place effort individually, posting an all-conference finish for the second-straight year.
Dawson, just the eighth first-team All-Big Ten finisher in program history, and the first since 2003, was the top freshman in the field, covering the hilly and difficult 8,000-meter course in 24:48. Dawson held his own amongst some of the top individuals in the nation, coming out on top of several NCAA All-Americans. The Lions scored 133 points to finish fourth, edging No. 19 Indiana in fifth with 135. Wisconsin won the men's meet for the 10th-straight year, scoring 40 points to upend host Michigan in second with 57, and Minnesota in third with 60.
"Our men were absolutely outstanding today," said Director and Head Coach of Penn State Track and Field/Cross Country Beth Alford-Sullivan. "Our program has turned the corner and I couldn't be more proud of the nine guys who competed today."
Freshman Vince McNally (Smoketown, Pa.) impressed in his Big Ten debut, turning in a 22nd-place finish as the Lions' second runner. McNally posted a finishing time of 25:08 to finish as the third rookie in the field. Senior Brian Fuller (Camp Hill, Pa.) followed in 24th in 25:13, posting a career-best finish in his final Big Ten cross country appearance. Fuller led a group of seven seniors on Penn State's Big Ten squad - all of whom have been instrumental in the Lions' season success.
Senior John Mahoney (Richboro, Pa.) ran an outstanding last stretch of the race, passing well over 10 athletes on his way to the finish line, taking 36th-overall in 25:29. Classmates Dennis O'Connor (Philadelphia) and Teddy Quinn (Rush, N.Y.) went 52nd and 53rd as the Lions' fifth and sixth finishers, both crossing the finish line in 25:42. Senior Dennis Pollow (Ransomville, N.Y.) completed the Lion top seven in 59th in 25:50.
"Today's outcome is a true example of what hard work, consistent commitment and willingness to risk can produce," continued Sullivan. "We look forward to the NCAA Regionals, where we look for (Tyler) McCandless to be back at 100 percent, and the rest of the guys can continue to reach their goals for the season."
Franek finished the women's 6,000-meter course in 20:56, claiming a top 10 finish at the conference level for the second-consecutive season. Redshirt sophomore Leah Rosenfeld (Ridgefield, Conn.) moved up steadily through the second half of the race, turning in a 16th-place effort in 21:26 - just two spots off an all-conference certificate.
The No. 19 Nittany Lions finished seventh with 154 points amongst an ultra-talented field, led by Minnesota, who edged Wisconsin for the team title 63-67. Michigan State took third with 83, with Illinois in fourth with 101, Michigan in fifth with 116, and Iowa with 151.
"We made a pretty big tactical error and didn't get into to good position at the start of the race," said Sullivan of the women's race. "In a field this talented, it's tough to get back into the race if you don't put yourself in position early."
Senior Claire Percival (Sarnia, Ontario) placed 41st as the Lions' third, finishing in 22:04, followed by Cheryl Spring (The Woodlands, Texas) in 43rd in 22:08. Freshman duo Kara Millhouse (Boiling Springs, Pa.) and Caitlin Lane (Greenwich, N.Y.) went 45-46 in 22:10 and 22:14, respectively, as the Penn State five and six, with Meghan Noecker (Reading, Pa.) finishing off the top seven in 48th (22:16).
"We took it on the chin a little bit but it doesn't change our game plan for the rest of the season," continued Sullivan. "This was a situation that could have gone anyone's way, and it didn't go ours but I still think all seven (ranked Big Ten) teams will be at the NCAA Championships."
The Lions will have next weekend off before competing at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships at Princeton University on Nov. 15. The top two squads from each race will earn automatic bids to the NCAA Championships on Monday, Nov. 24.