Complete Results
2010 All-Conference Teams
CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind. – One week after being tabbed with its highest national ranking in school history, the No. 2 Gators backed up the pundits by showcasing a dominating performance at the 2010 North Coast Athletic Conference Championship. Paced by NCAC Runner of the Year Chris Marker, Allegheny pounded out its seventh consecutive league crown and conference-best 10th overall championship.
In an unsurprising repeat of last year's title race, the Allegheny duo of Chris Marker and Jeramie Parker solidified themselves as the top two runners in the field. Parker, who secured medalist honors last season, conceded the top spot on Saturday to Marker, who used a strong kick to break the tape in 25:24.8. It was an outstanding time given the difficulty of the 8k course, and sets the stage for a tremendous postseason for the 2009 All-American. Parker finished in 25:31.7 to finish second while securing First Team All-Conference honors. Both runners were part of a seven-man pack until pulling away from the group with just over one mile remaining.
Fellow senior Zac Ross finished seventh overall with a clip of 26:13.1. The strong effort resulted in a unique milestone for Ross, who became the first runner in the history of the NCAC to earn First Team All-Conference honors all four years.
A pair of Second Team All-Conference performers capped Allegheny's scoring. Senior Ryan Sullivan assembled a great run despite a pre-race injury and finished 12th overall in 26:42.8. Senior Andrew Mahone served up a huge race, finishing 13th in 26:43.7 while collecting his first postseason honor.
Head coach Brent Wilkerson, who was named NCAC Coach of the Year, was thrilled after the commanding victory. “It was nice to run hard and fast on such a tough course. Today marked the real beginning of our season and the guys should feel great about building upon today's win at (NCAA) regionals.”
Mike Vlah also enjoyed a tremendous race and earned Honorable Mention All-Conference honors with a 16th-place finish. Junior Pat McLaughlin, who also picked up Honorable Mention All-Conference accolades, had a disappointing day despite a strong season although he battled back in the last kilometer after a very hard start.
Outside of the team scoring, sophomore Brennan Hamilton led a deep group of harriers also donning the Blue and Gold. Hamilton finished 30th in the individual standings in 27:34.1. Senior Matt Brush closed next in 41st, while junior John Conant was 49th. Jack Denison was the Gators' top rookie finisher on Saturday with fellow frosh Lee Swaydis closing out Allegheny's contingent.
After placing all five of its scorers in the top 13, Allegheny cruised to the team crown with 35 points. Wabash replicated last year's runner-up finish with 64 points, while Ohio Wesleyan totaled 83 points to finish third.
