Complete Results
OBERLIN, Ohio – The men's cross country team was finally given the chance to flex its muscle against the best teams in the region, and the Gators did not disappoint. In a race that featured 31 teams and six nationally-ranked squads, Allegheny powered its way to an impressive victory at the 2010 Regional Rumble hosted by Oberlin College.
Taking advantage of its first sunny meet since August 2009, Allegheny provided glimpses of a team that has its sights set on a national crown, even though the team didn't race its best. Totaling 66 points, the No. 3 Gators easily out-paced runner-up Elizabethtown, which finished with a team score of 129. Nationally-ranked No. 13 Carnegie Mellon finished third.
“Our race went better than last week, although we know that we can perform better,” said senior Chris Marker. “Today was only the second race we've had as a complete team, and we'll use this meet to help us work toward achieving our ultimate goal of a national championship.”
Marker finished second overall at the Rumble, getting outkicked by St. Thomas' Ben Sathre in the homestretch despite running 24:47. It was a great bounce-back effort for Marker, who didn't run as well as he had hoped at last week's Paul Short Invitational. The runner-up finish paced a first-time victory for this group at the Regional Rumble.
Senior captain Jeramie Parker finished seventh overall in 25:06. After staying with the lead pack through the first four miles, Parker dropped off the pace and was unable to replicate the strong finish from his last outing. Fellow fourth-year harriers Ryan Sullivan and Zac Ross finished next for Allegheny. Sullivan closed 11th in 25:29, while Ross ran 25:38 en route to 19th in the individual standings.
The Gators' race strategy played out well through the first 5k, but the final spread will need to improve as Allegheny heads toward the postseason. Junior Pat McLaughlin finished 27th in 25:50 to cap the scoring, although the team delta was justt over one minute. Senior Andrew Mahone orchestrated a strong personal effort in the meet, closing in 26:04.
“I was happy with the way our guys performed today, although it's clear that our training isn't there yet,” noted head coach Brent Wilkerson. “The goal is to continue to improve, and I think we're doing that successfully.”
