This weekend the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championships saw Fairfield’s men’s and women’s cross country team’s fine display of athleticism and school spirit. Running with pride for their school’s name, the Stags finished with very respectable results. Being the first to cross the finish line does not come down to just the physical ability and the time spent training, it’s also about the mental preparation and how well you hold it together throughout the race. All teams needed to come into the race mentally and physically fit. This year the MAAC Championship was held in Bronx, N.Y.
Kaitlyn Hurley ’10 finished the MAAC Championship with an impressive time of 23:47.8. Following her lead, Courtney Kincaid 07′ ran with a time of 24:51.5. Devann Ard ’09 clocked in with a time of 25:14.5 and Mary Morris ’10 followed nearly 30 seconds behind her with a time of 25:48.9. Jennifer Booton ’09 was the next of Fairfield’s runners reported at 26:07.2.
The performances at this year’s MAAC Championship show a very promising future for the young female Stags. With nearly half of the team currently in the freshman class there is much time for the fresh talent to emerge with a firm spot in the future championships.
Each day’s hard work ethic may produce tired legs and sweaty bodies, but it is the key for future success. The women’s team placed eighth in the race, with Iona taking the lead in first.
The boys placed ninth all together, with the help of the lead runner, Dan Ryan 07′. Ryan’s time was an impressive 28:29.3. Ryan has great deal of experience, running the previous MAAC Championship, the NCAA Regionals and the ECAC Championship. Dan Ryan finished 59th in the overall race at this years MAAC Championship.
Hardly footsteps behind, Ryan could hear the heavy breathing of Duncan Gerity. Gerity finished at 28:53.7 and not far behind Duncan came freshman Kevin Manke finishing strong with a recorded time of 29:20.4.
Despite the cold weather the stags pushed on. Both the men’s and women’s team had great starts in the race and strong kicks at the end. The hard work ethic for the season produced strong standings, and the results for the underclassmen were certainly at the top. However, Iona took the lead with several strong standings and Marist placed second. Next year let’s hope we won’t be able to say the same.
The future for the stags looks bright with the freshman finishing the season with strong performances. Next year’s Championship had better watch out for Fairfield’s finest Cross Country team yet.
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