The men’s and women’s teams traveled to Gambier, Ohio to compete in the NCAC conference championships. Both teams had solid finishes, with the men placing fifth and the women finishing third.
The women were led by senior Claudia Monnet (22:52.0), who finished third overall in the race, followed by senior Heather O’Brien, who came in 11th place (23:26.6).
Both were all-conference.
Juniors Emma MacAnally (23:44.6) and Becca Conley (23:54.3) both earned honorable mentions, finishing 18th and 21st respectively.
“We raced our hearts out with the hopes to win,” said O’Brien, who finished as all-conference for the third time in her career. “NCAC is one of the toughest running conferences in the Midwest, so a top three finish is a great accomplishment.”
Head coach Kori Stoffregen agreed.
“We weren’t 100 percent going into the race," Stoffregen explained. "Probably three of our top five girls are not healthy and are with little, nagging injuries that just made it tough, and so for them to overcome that and be real solid and be third--we’re really excited about that.”
The men’s team was led by all-conference performances by first-year Paul Christian (26:00.4, 12th) and sophomore Polo Burguete (26:03.4, 14th).
The two were followed by seniors Paul Watts (26:48.5, 29th), Brian Mincks (26:56.4, 34th) and sophomore Pierce Sheehan (27:50.6, 53rd).
Juniors C.J. Copeland (28:03.6) and Brad Wise 28:12.0) rounded out the group, placing 58th and 62nd respectively.
“Our youth and our inexperience kind of showed,” said Stoffregen.
But there was a clear upside to having a young team, as Christian was also awarded “Newcomer of the Conference” for being the top first-year in the race.
“I was happy I could help the team,” said Christian on his finish. “It really motivates me to try bigger things in the years to come.”
While the program still has the regional to run this season, the men’s team already knows its future is bright.
“In a year or so, I know DePauw can be a conference team,” said Christian.
The men and women will use these next two weeks to taper and prepare for the NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regional, where the teams will need top-four finishes to advance to the national meet.
“Our team is holding it together mentally and physically for regionals,” said Monnett. “We’re all pushing through injuries to make it through these last two weeks.”
The regional will take place on Saturday, Nov. 14 in Terre Haute, Indiana.