Behrend Men Claim 2008 AMCC Championship and Women Place Third

On Saturday, November 1, the men's and women's cross country teams competed at the AMCC Championships at Fort Roberdeau in Altoona, PA.  A year after the men's and women's teams both claimed the first-place prize out of ten teams at the 2007 event, the Behrend men followed up with another championship title, while the women placed third overall.

"It is pretty exciting," said Head Coach Greg Cooper. "This is our first back-to-back Championship. Our guys ran a strong and smart race as a team just like we asked them to do."

The Behrend men logged 31 points and held of Franciscan. Kevin Gorny (Erie/McDowell) was Behrend's top finisher and placed second overall in 27:45, while Andrew Iams (Harrison City/Penn Trafford) was six seconds off his pace, placing third. Carl Kallgren (Erie/McDowell) ran seventh in 28:50, Robert Shrawder (New Wilmington/West Middlesex) was ninth in 29:11, and Bob Cizek (Pittsburgh/Shaler) was tenth in 29:15. The top ten finishers earn AMCC All-Conference honors. 

The Penn State Behrend women competed in one of the most competitive women's races in AMCC history. Franciscan won the title with 35 points, Frostburg State was second with 41, and Behrend was third with 48 points. Emily Berry (Reno/Rocky Grove) was the top finisher, placing fifth in 24:51. Jenna Fatica (Erie/Villa Maria) was eighth in 25:09 and Mallory Souleret (Pittsburgh/Baldwin) locked in tenth place in 25:31.

The Behrend women have won AMCC Championships in 2001, 2004, and 2007, while the men earned titles in 2000 and 2007.

The championships marked the end of the cross country regular season.  The NCAA Mideast Regionals will be held at Waynesburg on November 15, at 12 noon.  The NCAA Championships are on November 22 at Hanover College in Indiana