Iron Jean-Paul: Roadie: 2013 NCAA Division III X-C Atlantic Regionals

The Mens' race started promptly at 12:30. (11/16/13)

Yesterday morning, my wife and I drove out to Mount Morris, New York, to watch the Oneonta State Red Dragons, among many others, run in the 2013 NCAA Division III Atlantic Region Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships are at Letchworth State Park. The weather could not have been more pleasant and the conditions better for a mid-November cross-country race. Hosted by nearby SUNY Geneseo, the course was well laid out and as an added bonus for the many spectators, there were quite a few sight lines from which to view the races from a variety of locations along both the 6 and 8k race routes.

It was an historic day for both SUNY Oneonta teams as each posted their best team finishes in school history. Led by senior, Danielle Kennedy (Stony Point/Albertus Magnus), the SUNY Oneonta women's cross country team took fifth place overall. The fifth place team finish puts the team in strong contention for an at-large berth for the NCAA championships next Saturday in Hanover, IN.

A suitably simple tribute to our nation prior to the day's races. (11/16/13)

Once again, watching both teams reminded me of how important individual effort toward a group goal is necessary to succeed at any level. Despite the misconception that cross-country is an "individuals sport," the Oneonta teams have continued to demonstrate the power of group effort--while watching the race play out one might never pick Oneonta to be near the top. But is seems that after each race concludes, with each young woman or man pushing themselves, at the end of the run--when the totals are tallied--the Red Dragons find themselves rising to the occasion.

As the athletes are lined up on the start line, family and friends await the gun. (11/16/13)

Coach Angelo gives the Women's team some parting advice before the race. (11/16/13)

The Women's team on its way to a school-best ever team finish! (11/16/13)

The Men's Red Dragons finished seventh overall as a team; two spots better than its ninth place finish in 2009, its previous best finish at the championships. Leading Oneonta today with a 39th place finish was junior Charles Remillard (Peru/Peru), who crossed the line in a time of 26:05 for the 8K event. Freshman David Busby (New Paltz/New Paltz) was Oneonta's fourth finisher today in 60th place with a time 26:22.