Atlantic 10 Men’s Cross Country Championship
Site (Host): Concord, N.C. (UNC Charlotte)
Home Meet Website
Course: Frank Liske Park
Date: Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011
Time: Men’s 8,000 Meter Championship Race – 10:00 a.m.

DAYTON, Ohio – The University of Dayton will compete in the Atlantic 10 Men’s Cross Country Championship this Saturday, Oct. 29 at Frank Liske Park in Concord, N.C.
The men’s 8K race will start at 10 a.m. ET, followed by the women’s 5K race at 10:45 a.m. ET.

“I’m excited and looking forward to the A-10 Championship because the opportunity is there for us to finish higher than we ever have,” said UD Head Coach Rich Davis. “We have the potential to finish higher than third.”

Four A-10 men’s teams are ranked in their respective USTFCCA Regional rankings. The Flyers are ranked No. 15 in the Great Lakes, while La Salle (No. 6), Duquesne (No. 8) and Saint Joseph’s (No. 10) are ranked in the Mid-Atlantic region.

“We earned our way back into the Regional ranking by defeating previously ranked Ohio and Toledo at the NCAA Pre-Nationals,” said Davis. “La Salle has the formula to win with five runners that have a season-best time in the top 15. Greg Roeth and Kyle Lowry have run top 15 times for Dayton this year and Jeremy Schiele is just outside, but running very well.”

Richmond is the defending men’s champion, UMass finished as runners-up and last year’s host Duquesne was third with 112 points. Dayton was not far behind, taking fourth with 114 points.
The Spiders also had the individual champion, who graduated, and the Minutemen had five seniors graduate.

Three Flyers earned all-conference honors last season as Dayton posted its best three-man finish in history (14 points): Chris Lemon was second, Matt Lemon was fourth and Greg Roeth was eighth. Seven seniors finished in front of Roeth.

Chris Lemon was the individual race in 2009, leading the Flyers to third place – their highest finish in program history.

After each race of the season, Coach Davis recognizes two runners with Tough as Nails and Team Glue. The Tough as Nails goes to the runner who displayed the best physical and mental toughness during the race and the Team Glue recognition goes to the runner who, through the course of week, leading up to the race, makes sacrifices and gives encouragement and moral support.

After the NCAA Pre-Nationals, Michael Russell earned Tough as Nails and Stephen Mackell received Team Glue honors.

“Michael fought the entire race and finished as our fifth man,” said Davis. “Stephen Mackell stepped up from his normal position and finished as our third man.”

Flyer 5K - Sept. 3, 2011
Tough As Nails: Freshman Matt Fakler
Team Glue: Junior Stephen Mackell

National Catholic Invitational - Sept. 16, 2011
Tough As Nails: Junior Nate Addessi
Team Glue: Junior Kyle Lowry

All-Ohio Intercollegiate Championships – Sept. 30, 2011
Tough As Nails: Junior Derek Bornhorst
Team Glue: Junior Jeremy Schiele

NCAA Pre-National Invitational – Oct. 16, 2011
Tough As Nails: Freshman Michael Russell
Team Glue: Junior Stephen Mackell