Quinnipiac University
NCAA Regionals
Several Bobcats Impress, Lead Men's Cross Country to 23rd Place at NCAA Northeast Regional
11/9/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country
2012 Men's Cross Country Homepage
2012 Men's Cross Country Schedule/Results
NCAA Northeast Regional Individual/Team Results
Pictures from Men's NCAA Regional Event
MADISON, Conn. – Coming off an impressive 3rd place showing at the NEC Championship, the Quinnipiac men's cross country team finished their stellar season with a 23rd place result at the NCAA Northeast Regional at Hammonassett Park. Senior Rich Klauber (Thomaston, Conn.) capped his outstanding career with another strong showing, placing 40th out of 239 runners at the 10k event to lead Quinnipiac. Iona had all five of their runners finish in the top-20 to win the event with 45 points.
"The men performed very well and the coaches are leaving today and this season saying it was a major success," said Quinnipiac men's cross country head coach Carolyn Martin. "For us to have two freshmen in our top-five and for Rich to finish his career on a high note we certainly are excited for next season."
Klauber's 40th place showing was second-best among NEC runners, coming just 10 spots and 12 seconds behind Central Connecticut State's Colby Delbene. His finishing time of 31:21.4 averaged out to just over five minutes per-mile (5:03). The 2009 NEC Outstanding Performer of the Year capped his career with the Bobcats in impressive fashion, his fifth time leading Quinnipiac (out of six opportunities) in an event this season.
Sophomore Spencer Mannion (Brookfield, Conn.) improved dramatically from last year's NCAA Northeast Regional to the 2012 event. His finishing time of 32:37.5 was second-best on the team and over three minutes faster than his time from last season. The standout sophomore returned to form at the end of the season and is primed to lead the Bobcats going into next season.
One of Quinnipiac's strongest runners all season, freshman Brendan Copley (Colchester, Vt.) capped his illustrious rookie campaign with a 132nd place result at the NCAA Regional. His finishing time of 32:51.7 was the 20th fastest among all freshman at the event and the fastest freshman runner among all NEC teams competing on Friday.
Junior Rich Stoliker (Shelton, Conn.) and freshman Matt Mensher (Tolland, Conn.) rounded out the Bobcat's top-five competitors. Stoliker improved dramatically as well from the 2011 result, crossing the line at 33:23.3 compared to 36:30.1 one year ago. Mensher was the second Quinnipiac freshman to finish in their top-five. Only three other teams placed higher than the Bobcats with at least two freshman running in the team's first five finishers (Harvard, UMass Amherst, and Canisius). Quinnipiac hopes Mensher's finishing time of 33:46.8 will only improve and help the team moving forward to next season.
23 620 Quinnipiac 2:44:00.7 ( 7)
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40 Richard Klauber SR 31:21.4 5:03
108 Spencer Mannion SO 32:37.5 5:15
132 Brendan Copley FR 32:51.7 5:17
160
Richard Stoliker SR 33:23.3 5:23
180 Matthew Mensher FR 33:46.8 5:26
The Quinnipiac men's cross country team rounds out their season after an impressive campaign. Selected to finish seventh in the NEC Preseason Coaches' Poll, the Bobcats proved doubters wrong by finishing the NEC Championship in third place, just seven points behind the champions, Central Conn. St. With a young core returning and late season momentum, Quinnipiac hopes to carry that positive energy into the 2013 season.
Contact: Maxx McNall; maxx.mcnall@quinnipiac.edu
Players Mentioned
