On to Regionals
Junior Josh Gornall leads the pack at the Sean Earl Invitational on Oct. 3. The 'Hounds placed fourth overall at GLVC Conference Championship on Oct. 24.
By Abby Swartz | Staff Writer
Despite potential setbacks of injury and illness among members, the men’s cross country team continues to push forward with high hopes for upcoming meets.
“They’re doing such a great job in improving, I would simply hold the pace. Just keep doing what they’re doing,” said assistant coach Scott Fangman.
The ‘Hounds have consistently placed well throughout the season and hope to keep it up on their journey to the NCAA Regionals in November.
Most recently, the ‘Hounds competed in Louisville, Ky. at the GLVC Championships on Oct. 24, placing fourth as a team. Freshman Mark Martinez finished in 13th place, pacing the 8K course in 26:00.66. Senior Mike Landy took 14th place in a time of 26:01.18, followed by junior Josh Gornall and sophomore Andrew Piropato, placing 27th and 28th, respectively.
The ‘Hounds traveled to Kenosha, Wis. for the Lucian Rosa Invite on Oct. 10. The team placed second of five in the 4K, led by freshman Mark Martinez who won the race in a time of 16:03. Senior Michael Landy placed sixth in 16:32, while junior Josh Gornall took eighth in a time of 16:38. Sophomore Andrew Piropato placed ninth with a time of 16:42, followed by freshman Ian O’Boyle in 15th place with a time 17:34. The ‘Hounds used the Invite as a training meet to keep the course fresh, as it is the same course that will be used at the NCAA Regionals on Nov. 17.
At the Sean Earl Invitational in Chicago, Ill., on Oct. 3, the men placed 16th out of a total of 39 teams. Leading the team was Martinez in 55th place with a time of 26:37 and Gornall in 56th place in a time of 26:37. Landy placed 65th in 26:44, while O’Boyle and Piropato took 124th and 134th, respectively.
“The [men’s and women’s] teams are, from a social perspective, probably the strongest bonded we have ever had. They all get along. They all enjoy what they’re doing,” Fangman said.
Members of the team seemed to be in agreement with Fangman.
“It’s [the season] going really well. I think we’re running up to our potential, if not better, right now,” Gornall said. “I think we need to develop more depth and close gaps between our top three [runners] and [our] four and five. We need the others to step up so we have that insurance if someone has a bad race.”
The team was recently ranked 10th in the region, an improvement over last year’s ranking or 18th. There are only three teams in the conference currently ranked ahead of the Greyhounds.
“Really, the goal is regionals. To get through to Nationals would just be a bonus,” Gornall said.
Fangman said he thinks this year’s team is very strong. Although cross country is an individual sport, he’s noticed that the runners care about the pack, not about themselves. He said they are mentally, physically and emotionally the best team he has seen.
“My job is pretty much unnecessary, and I like that,” Fangman said. “This machine is running on its own.”
