Author: tburke

Princeton Invitational 2019

tburke

An onslaught of rain tore through Princeton, New Jersey on Sunday morning as the Hens took to the famously fast course at the Princeton Invitational. Despite the elements, many runners still managed to slip-n-slid their way to shiny new PRs and renewed excitement for Regionals next weekend.

When the women crossed the finish line, a visible pang of disappointment could be seen on their face as they looked at the time. Little did they know, this course is actually certified to be 6,170 meters long – almost a full 200 meters longer than the typical women’s race. To determine the actual 6k time for the women, subtract 40-50 seconds off the gun time. 

The women’s team had to sit out a few key players due to injuries this week including front runner Bailey Davin and top seven racers Abby Kaye, Rachel Handleman, and Maddy Ciskowski. Luckily, everyone stepped up and filled the gaps flawlessly, ultimately carrying the women to a third place finish in a field of eleven teams! 

Leading the women was Allison Einig in a time of 25:17.9 (24:35 6k time), followed shortly by Emma Bateman in 25:22.4 (24:40 6k time) and Talia Brookstein-Burke in 25:23.8 (24:41 6k time). 

The pack continued to stream in with Elise LaFramboise, Morgan Gallagher, Emily Magoon, and Amelie Harpey rounding out the top seven in an impressive one through seven split of just 41.9 seconds! 

The men’s team also had to sit out their front runner, Michael Durkin, but saw the return of Brendan Jones, a consistent top seven placer, after he sat out at Lehigh- also due to injury.

The men’s team was led by Michael Murphy in a time of 26:58.8, good for 15th place out of 182 runners. Schuyler Reed (27:17.1) and Brendan Jones (27:27.1) both came through the chute looking strong with some impressive kicks that earned them 25th and 33rd place, respectfully, good for a 5th place finish overall out of 14 teams. 

Rounding out the top seven were Evan Massa, John Papadopolous, Paul Filipow, and Trent Zuspann. 

Next week, the team will travel to Frederick, Maryland for the Mid-Atlantic Regional race. Here’s hoping for better weather than today! 

Full results from the Princeton Invitational can be done here

Allison Einig placed 13th overall for the girl’s race

Michael Murphy was first for the guy’s team in 26:58.8

Paul Short Invitational 2019

tburke

A cool autumn breeze flooded Lehigh University’s campus as thousands of runners stampede through the famously fast Paul Short Invitational on Saturday, October 5th. Of those thousands, 50 ran with the Delaware name splashed proudly on their chests.

For the men’s team, Michael Durkin was once again the top finisher in the 8k, running a personal record (PR) of 25:22.2- over 90 seconds faster than his previous course time! The entire men’s team fought hard to follow Durkin’s lead, with many setting their own astounding PRs, including Ray Smith with a 50 second PR and Matt Weir who dropped more than a minute off his previous time. 

Rounding out the top 7 for the men’s team were Michael Murphy (27:18.9), John Papadopoulos (27:22.6), Schuyler Reed (27:41.9), Evan Massa (28:14.0), Trent Zuspann (29:04.9), and Paul Filipow (29:29.4). 

With the dust from the men’s race barely settled, the UDXC women took off into the cornfields of Lehigh, once again led by Bailey Davin, who blazed through the course in 23:32.2. The women’s team saw some incredible pack running throughout the entire race and through the finishing line, with runners #2 through #6 coming in within 35 seconds of one another!

Following Davin for the top 7 were Allison Einig (24:24.4), Emma Bateman (24:33.2), Rachel Handleman (24:42.9), Elise LaFramboise (24:52.8), Abigail Kaye (24:55.1), and Ana Dacey (24:58.9).  

Next week, the blue hens will have a week off from racing as they prepare for the Princeton Invitational on October 20th.

Full results can be found here

The whole team stuck around for some quick pics after the race

 

Great weather and a flat course made for some impressive times

 

Elise LaFramboise, Rachel Handelman, and Abigaile Kaye pack it up at the start of the race

Junior Michael Durkin once again came in first for the boy’s team 

Delaware Invitational 2019

tburke

With the leaves of the trees just barely turning and the familiar Delaware humidity crowding the air, the club team laced up their spikes to once again compete at the Delaware Invitational. The White Clay course is known for its harsh terrain and insistent hills, often earning it the title of a “real” cross country course. Full results can be found here.

Despite the technicality of the course, both teams threw down some excellent times, proving this season to be one of both speedy front runners blazing the way and tight packs closing in on the top 7 spots.

For the women’s 6k, Bailey Davin once again led the pack, this time running 25:09.9, putting her number 6 on the all-time list. Despite this being Davin’s first cross country race, her fearless racing speaks to that of a pro.

Allison Einig followed behind Davin, coming in strong with a 26:10.9, over a minute faster than her last race on this course! Emma Bateman, Emily Magoon, Maddy Ciskowski, Abby Kaye, and Elise LaFramboise rounded out the top 7, good for a 5th place finish overall.

In the men’s 8k, Michael Durkin dominated the race, commandeering a lead pack from the very start. In a gutsy last 200 meters, Durkin battled it out for first against Josh Coakley of West Chester, overtaking him in the final 100 meters to cinch first by .2 seconds with a 26:54.6, improving his number 9 spot on the all-time list to number 6.

Brendan Jones was the second runner for the team, coming in hot with a 29:01.4 for 12th overall and a 3 minute personal best on the White Clay 8k course.

The men’s top 7 was finished off by John Papadopoulos, Schuyler Reed, Evan Massa, and Paul Filipow, and Trent Zuspann earning them a number three overall finish. 

Next week, the Blue Hens race at the Paul Short Invitational at Lehigh University. It’s a flat course with great competition, so look out for some speedy times!

Bailey Davin took first for the team in the women’s 6k, running a time of 25:09.9 (Photography by Jen Durkin)

Michael Durkin took 1st place in the men’s 8k (Photography by Jen Durkin)

Bottle and Cork 5k 2019

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Perfect weather and a fast course made for an impressive debut at the Bottle & Cork 5k this weekend in Dewey Beach, DE. 71 Blue Hens toed the line, making for one of our largest team showings ever!

Michael Durkin and Bailey Davin took home the titles of overall top male and female, respectively. Durkin broke the tape in an astonishing 16:19, while Davin came through in a speedy 20:07.

The top five of the men’s team was rounded off nicely by Schuyler Reed (17:25), Pat LaPorte (17:36), Matt Weir (17:45), and Evan Massa (17:46), resulting in a low 1:27 1-5 split.

The women’s team came in strong as well, with Allison Einig crossing the line thirty seconds after Davin (20:36), followed closely by Emma Bateman (20:40). Rounding out the top 5, Elise Laframboise clocked a 21:06 while Talia Brookstein-Burke came in at a 21:25, resulting in an impressive 1:18 1-5 split.

Full results are available here

Up next for the team is the Delaware Invitational at White Clay State Park on September 28th where our club team battles it out against our very own UD varsity team and many other DI schools.

The team enjoyed a great day at the beach following the race.