BRISTOL, R.I. – The Roger Williams University Men's Cross Country team clinched their 10th consecutive TCCC (The Commonwealth Coast Conference) title on Saturday with a 23-point performance on their home course at Colt State Park.
In addition to being the first Hawk across the line, sophomore Mitch Leveille (North Kingstown, R.I.) grabbed the individual title, touring the 8-kilometer course in 27 minutes flat and earning TCCC Runner of the Year honors.
“Mitch ran a near perfect race plan and after the mile, slowly but convincingly, pulled away from everyone else,” said Head Coach Sean Livingston, who was also named TCCC Coach of the Year. “It was very gratifying for him as he was injured and hadn't finished a race since early October.”
Freshman John Ferguson (Bethel, Conn.) took second with a time of 27:16, while being named TCCC Rookie of the Year.
“John put himself in position to win as well, ending up with a solid second,” said Livingston. “He's been a horse for us all season and, for having no experience in a meet of this magnitude, managed to stay calm and race well.”
Also named to the All-TCCC for Roger Williams were seniors Jonathan Ellis (Yonkers, N.Y.) and Thomas Maybury (East Longmeadow, Mass.), who grabbed third and fifth overall with times of 27:20 and 27:29, respectively. At the meet, Ellis was also named TCCC Senior Scholar Athlete of the Year.
Freshman Jeremy Kacher (Waltham, Mass.), senior Andrew Gallant (Merrimac, Mass.), and freshman Chase Osgood (Acton, Mass.) finished back-to-back-to-back, in 12th, 13th, and 14th with respective times of 28:18.31, 28:18.84, and 28:33 to round out the scoring for the Hawks.
“The seniors have been the backbone of this team over the last four years and now have four team titles to show for it.”
Also receiving All-TCCC honors were Annett Taylor of New England College (5th, 27:22), Brandon Mulligan of the University of New England (6th, 27:38), Greg Payne of Endicott (7th. 27:43), Matt Meyers of New England College (8th, 27:50), Max Kronberg of Gordon College (9th, 28:04.25), and Gage Bensley of Colby-Sawyer College (10th, 28:04.58). Western New England College received the Team Sportsmanship award as well.
Roger Williams will compete next Saturday at the ECAC Championships, again at Colt State Park. The gun goes off at 11:00 a.m.
