Cross Country Ran Through LEC Championship

COURTESY PHOTO OF PSU ATHLETICS

Our men’s and women’s cross-country team traveled down Bryant University in Connecticut to compete in the Little East Conference championships last Saturday; during rain, sleet, and muddy conditions. The women’s team ended up finishing 4^thout of the nine teams there to race. The men’s team took the next position at 3^rdand across the board, we saw great performance as always. However, they went there win overall and even though that didn’t happen, it was still something to be proud of. “…our performance on Saturday was a little disappointing… however, I believe our team ran tough, especially considering the nor'easter conditions we faced” Lora Giguere (Tolland CT) said about the outcome of the weekend. “I would have been more ashamed if we never went for it in the first place because I believe there is no shame in trying. I rather train with ambition and shoot for the stars than sell ourselves short and play it safe by making easy goals. I'm glad we shot our shot.”

The women’s team saw record breaker Kim Bowles (Wonalancet NH) cross the finish line with a time a 20:59:4, which was enough to get her the 13^thplace finish and the fastest finish for a freshman in the program. Giguere contributed by finishing just over a minute later, to put her in 16^th. The senior will race in the NCAA regionals next weekend and is hoping to not only beat her personal record but to also get revenge on Eastern Connecticut and Keene State from topping them in the LEC’s. “… my cross-country career will be over next year. However, I look forward to just running for fun and potentially competing in some longer road races or maybe my third half-marathon.”

The women’s team also saw finishes from Eve Bagley (Holliston MA) that rounded out the top 20, and finishing 13 seconds after Giguere. Alongside Giguere, Jennifer Marcus (Eliot ME), Isabella Mongillo (Hamden CT) and Courtney Allen (Lewiston ME) all raced in their last meet as well. Keene State ended up winning it all with a total of 55 points. Eastern Conn followed with 52, Rhode Island with 86 and finally the Panthers ending the season with 99 points.  

Senior Sam Brunnette (Newport Center VT) ran his last LEC championship match and went out with a bang. Passing the finish line at 26:42:9, he has become the second person in all of LEC history to earn a three-peat in the three last years; 2016, 2017, 2018. “My performance went very well. The rain, wind, and all the mud made for my favorite racing conditions. I had a great time because of that and seeing my teammate Warren doing so well too in those conditions,” Brunnette had to comment on his performance. Warren Bartlett (Loudon NH) was following right behind him, to claim second place 13 seconds later. 

Marcus Cryan (Topsfield MA) was the next Panther to grab a finishing position three minutes, grabbing 19^th. Chaim Tendler (Manchester NH) finished right behind Cryan and Jared Wolf (Tyngsborough NH) capped off earned points for PSU, taking home 31^st. 

Two teams finished above PSU: Southern Maine with 43 points and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth with 48 points. 

Seven runners will be chosen to compete in the NCAA Regionals next weekend that will be held at Bowdoin College. The women’s meet will start at 11 a.m. and men’s will start one hour after; 12 p.m.