Oct. 31, 2003
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The Fairfield University men's and women's cross country teams competed in the 2003 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championships on Friday, Oct. 31 at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, N.Y. Both the men's and women's teams finished sixth out of 10 teams.
On the men's side Iona's Nigel Wray was the individual champion to help lead the Gaels to their 13th consecutive MAAC Championship, with 17 team points. Marist finished second with 60 points. Manhattan was third with 80 points, followed by Rider (131), Loyola (142), Fairfield (154), Siena (198), Saint Peter's (244), Niagara (254), and Canisius (INC).
In the women's race Emmily Chelanga of Iona was the individual champion, but Loyola would take home the team title with 46 points. Iona finished second with 52, and Siena rounded out the top three with 69 points. Manhattan (102), Marist (102), Fairfield (148), Canisius (194), Rider (222), Niagara (266), and Saint Peter's (318) rounded out the field.
Both teams finished sixth at last season MAAC Championships. For the Fairfield men Bryan Mahoney led the Stags with a 27:26.3 over the 8,000-meter course. Mahoney finished 24th out of 114 runners. Justin Rindos was second on the team with a 27:54.7, followed by Matt Borland (28:31.5), A.J. Kastanotis (28:52.6), John LaCagnian (30:04.4), Mike Dougherty (30:39.6), Michael Talmadge (30:49.8), and Devin Hagen (30:55.5) rounded out the scoring for the Fairfield men.
The Fairfield women were led by Shannon Kenefick who traversed the 6,000-meter course in 23:59.3 for an 18th overall finish. Lauren Wilson was second on the team with a 24:21.2, and Colleen Brasser closed out the top three for the Stags with a 24:42.1. Julie Wargo (24:56.3), Cara O'Connell (25:13.5), Taylor Dunn (25:26.7), Cara Muzik (25:39.3), and Liz Casey (26:52.6) closed the books on the Stags scoring.
Fairfield will finish the 2003 season, on Nov. 15 at the NCAA Northeast Regional Championships. The NCAA Regionals will be held at Franklin Park in Boston, Mass. The Stags have already taken a look at the course running well at the New England Championships on Oct. 10.
Men's Team Results 1. Iona 17 2. Marist 60 3. Manhattan 80 4. Rider 131 5. Loyola 142 6. Fairfield 154 7. Siena 198 8. Saint Peter's 244 9. Niagara 254 10. Canisius INCWomen's Team Results 1. Loyola 46 2. Iona 52 3. Siena 69 4. Manhattan 102 Marist 102 6. Fairfield 148 7. Canisius 194 8. Rider 222 9. Niagara 266 10. Saint Peter's 318
