PHILADELPHIA CLAIMS CACC MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP
PHILADELPHIA, PA (October 24, 2009) - Four members of the Philadelphia University men's cross country team were among the top six finishers to lead the Rams to the 2009 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Championship today at rain-soaked Belmont Plateau in Philadelphia. The Rams scored 32 points to unseat five-time defending champion, Felician College, which finished in third place with 73 points. Wilmington University, behind five All-CACC runners, was the runner-up with 43 points.
Senior Shawn D'Andrea led the Rams to the championship by placing second after finishing the 8-kilometer course in 27:29.77. The winner of the race was Fred Tuwei of Holy Family University, who traversed the course in 26:57.48. For his efforts, Tuwei was named the CACC Runner of the Year.
Three Rams crossed the line soon after D'Andrea in senior Andrew Piotrowski, freshman Kip Kirui and sophomore Tyler Dye, who finished in fourth, fifth and sixth place, respectively. Philadelphia's fifth runner, senior Kirk Tencate, also earned All-Conference honors by placing 15th in 29:02.32. The top 15 runners earned All-Conference accolades.
Wilmington was led by the CACC Rookie of the Year, freshman Bill Steele, who clocked a time of 27:48.56 to earn third place. Senior Matt O'Brian was seventh in 28:27.23, and the pack of Chad Darlington, Rodney Rosario and Kyle Barnum placed 10th, 11th and 12th to secure second place for the Wildcats. Wilmington entered the week ranked ninth in the East Region.
Felician was led by junior Jay Rodgers in ninth place (28:37.72), while sophomore James Vander Wiele battled a hip injury to finish 13th in 28:59.91. Vander Wiele was the meet champion last season.
Felician head coach John Brennan was chosen the CACC Coach of the Year, while the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia was given the annual Team Sportsmanship Award. The Devils placed fourth with 123 points.
The CACC schools will now await the NCAA Division II East Region Championship, which will take place in Boston on November 8.
CACC Awards
Runner of the Year: Fred Tuwei, Holy Family
Rookie of the Year: Bill Steele, Wilmington
Coach of the Year: John Brennan, Felician
Team Sportsmanship Award: USP