NIRCA Regionals

Delaware Men and Women Earn Top 10 Finish with Individual Highlights

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On October 19, 2024, the Delaware Club Cross Country team competed at the NIRCA Mid-Atlantic Regionals, at Lehigh University. Both the men’s and women’s teams placed 8th, with the men averaging 27:27 for the 8k, and the women 25:34 for the 6k. This achievement qualifies both teams for the varsity championship races at NIRCA Nationals in Hershey, PA, on November 8th and 9th.

Junior Brady Sheaffer and Senior Lauren Pollock continue to lead, each earning individual qualifying spots for Nationals. Brady Sheaffer placed 21st in the men’s race with a personal best of 26:28, which now ranks him 4th on Lehigh’s all-time performance list. Lauren Pollock secured 17th place in the women’s race with a huge personal best of 24:02, making her the third-fastest runner on the Lehigh course for Club XCTF and the fifth-fastest 6K performer in club history.

In the women’s 6k the Blue Hens were led by Lauren Pollock and her impressive performance, followed by Sophomore Claire Merchant, who clocked a personal best of 25:00. Freshman Zoe Morawski followed and ran a new personal best of 26:08. Junior Jade Barrett was next for Delaware finishing in 26:18.70. Sophomores Kate Kershaw and Marleigh Ballard broke the 27-minute barrier with their times of 26:22.9 and 26:32.2 respectively. Sophomore Natalie Greger completed the top 7 for the Blue Hens, setting a personal best of 26:35.7.

Brady Sheaffer led Delaware in the men’s 8k team, while junior Dave Kelly ran a personal best of 27:25.4 to finish second for Delaware. Junior Evan Diefenbeck was right behind in 27:28, followed by Freshman Sebastiano Vandoni, who impressed with a time of 27:50.7. Freshman Michael Colavito ran a solid 28:06, while Juniors Josh and Evan Pawlik finished together with times of 29:35.2 and 29:36.5, respectively, both breaking the 30-minute mark. Sophomore Ryan Healy also broke the 30-minute barrier with a personal best of 29:46.5.

Delaware demonstrated the results of their training throughout the season, with many runners achieving personal bests. As they prepare for NIRCA Nationals in Hershey, PA, on November 8th and 9th, the team is excited to finish their fall season strong!

Full results can be found here.

Brady Sheaffer leading the Blue Hens.
Jade Barrett finishing strong.
Women’s team pre-race.
Team photo at Regionals!

Women Take Home Third Place Finish at Mid-Atlantic Regionals

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The Delaware club cross country team traveled to Lehigh University over the weekend to compete in the NIRCA Mid-Atlantic Region Race. The women’s team headlined the morning with a third place finish in a 13-team field. Full results can be found here.

Bailey Davin once again led the way for the Blue Hens crossing the line in 23:33 — just one second off her all-time personal best of 23:32. Davin’s 11th place finish is the third time she finished as the Hens’ top runner. Delaware’s next three runners in Talia Brookstein-Burke (24:20.60), Leena Saidi (24:22.50) and Allison Einig (24:29.60) secured three valuable top twenty spots to help secure the top three finish. The trio placed in 18th, 19th and 20th respectively. 

Emily Ward rounded out the scoring five for the women with a time of 26:22.30 and 56th place finish. Madeleine Dorley and Lauren Pollock took the final two top seven spots in times of 26:25.30 and 27:11.30. 

For the men, Alex Horgan continued his dominance on the course with a third place finish and time of 25:23. In each of the last three meets, Horgan has taken home a top three individual finish. The remaining four scoring spots for Delaware were all secured within a minute of each other. Sasha Latina’s new personal best of 28:08.50 started the trend with Bryant Cordova (28:15.50), Paul Filipow (28:21.70) and Schuyler Reed (28:31.50) following shortly after. 

Daniel Giron and Chris Calandra both broke the sub-30 mark to secure the final two top seven spots in 29:27 for Giron and 29:41.50 for Calandra. The men finished the day with a sixth place team finish.

The regional meet performance marks the end of three straight weeks of racing for Delaware. The upcoming Halloween weekend will serve as a way for the Hens to get a much needed break before returning to the course on Nov. 6 in its season finale at NIRCA Nationals in Shelbyville, Indiana.

The women finished  in third place with an average time of 24:37.20.

Alex Horgan’s time of 25:23.00 marks the second straight week of Horgan going under 26 minutes.

The Blue Hens will have a two weeks to prepare for NIRCA Nationals on Nov. 6.