WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - For the first time in three seasons, the Monmouth University men's cross country team is ranked 15th in this week's U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association poll, announced this morning. The NCAA Division I Mid-Atlantic Region includes thirty-seven teams from five states including New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware and Washington D.C. The Hawks finished second out of four Division I teams in the 16th Annual Monmouth Cross Country Invitational at Holmdel Park this past weekend.
"It is great to see the team and Monmouth get recognized in the poll for their efforts," said head coach Joe Compagni. "The men had one of our best early season meets ever at Holmdel Park and we are looking forward to the bigger meets in October and November."
The Hawks were paced by Ben Hutterer (Saxonburg, Pa./Knoch) who placed second overall, finishing the hilly five-mile course in 26:27.7, the third best time in program history at Holmdel. Dan Collura (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial) posted his best finish of the season, crossing the finish line ninth overall, with a time of 26:59.5. Todd Apgar (Somers, N.Y./Somers) finished four seconds later in 27:03.8, good for 11th overall.
The Hawks return to action on October 1st when they travel to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania for the Paul Short Run at Lehigh University starting at 12:15 p.m.
