Braz led the way for the Skyhawks (PHOTO BY: Dianne Kay Photography)
Braz led the way for the Skyhawks in his first NCAA Championship appearance (PHOTO BY: Greg Wall) |
SACRAMENTO, California (November 23, 2019) – The Stonehill College men's cross country team, who is ranked No. 3 in the East Regional U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches' Association (USTFCCCA) wrapped up the season with their 17th-straight appearance at the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championship hosted by California State, Sacramento and the Sacramento Sports Commission on Saturday at Haggin Oaks Golf Course Complex.
Stonehill totaled 877 points, finishing 32nd in the team race. The Colorado School of Mines took home the team title with 57 points, while Adams State University finished second with 136 points and Chico State University rounded out the top three teams with 143 points. From the East Region, American International College placed 24th and saw the individual champion in Ezra Mutai, while Roberts Wesleyan College took home 31st place.
Sophomore Shane Braz, in his first NCAA Championship appearance, led the way as he finished in 136th place with a time of 31:54.2. Senior All-American Lucas Taxter, who competed in his third NCAA Championship finished 166th out of 267 competitors in the 10-kilometer race.
Junior Kevin Wheelock and sophomore Nickolas McNamee were the next Purple and White across the finish line. Wheelock placed 228th, a career best finish, with a time of 33:16.2, as McNamee placed 236th with a time of 33:31.1 for both of their second appearances.
Junior Jeff Pichie rounded out the Skyhawks team points with a 239th place finish and a time of 33:41.9. Freshmen Reilly Johnston and Colin Black took home 244th and 261st, respectively. Johnston crossed the finish line in 33:50.8 and Black ran the course in 35:50.7.
Stonehill concluded the season with their 17th-straight NCAA Division II Cross Country Championship appearance in program history. To punch their ticket, the Skyhawks placed third at the NCAA Division II East Regional Championship as four earned All-East Region honors. Prior to the East Region Championship, the team finished second at the Northeast-10 Conference Championship to earn their ninth runner-up mark in program history, as four Skyhawks earned All-Conference honors.
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