J. Ann Tipton
Copy Editor
For the first time since the cross country program
began in 1999, the men’s and women’s teams took the regional and Appalachian
Athletic Conference titles Saturday at the NAIA Regional 12 meet.
Both teams combined for seven first-team All-Region honors, four second-team and
nine All-Conference selections. The teams also advanced to the national
championships that will be in Louisville on Nov. 22.
The men beat out 11 other teams to take the regional title. Milligan finished 28
points ahead of second place Berea College. The men also ran the race an average
of 41 seconds faster than Berea.
Freshman Sean Bowman took the region and conference individual title for the
Buffs. Six of the top 10 finishers were Milligan runners Bowman (1st), sophomore
Chris Wright (2nd), senior Shane Oakleaf (5th), sophomore Trevor Donovan (6th),
junior Ted Dubois (8th) and freshman Jair Collie (9th).
“We were expected to win just because our times from previous races were better
than the teams we were running against,” Oakleaf said. “When you go into a meet
like this, (the teams are) in their prime. We knew we had to run hard and
smart.”
The women competed against nine other teams to take the regional title. The Lady
Buffs finished 12 points ahead of second place Virginia Intermont. The women ran
the race an average of 33 seconds faster than VI.
Coach Chris Layne said the team knew this meet would be a challenge, especially
because they were without no. 4 runner sophomore Ann Marie Gardner.
“We knew the women’s race would be a battle with Virginia Intermont even though
we’d beaten them earlier in the season,” Layne said. “(VI has) been improving
each week, and we were without Ann Marie Gardner who injured an ankle in
basketball.”
Freshman Marta Zimon took the women’s region and conference individual title.
The team placed three runners in the top five: Zimon (1st), sophomore Megan
Lease (4th) and junior Lauren Gross (5th).
Gross said the teams are looking forward to the next level of competition at
nationals.
“We are all feeling really excited and strong,” Gross said. “We have come
together as a team and are really working hard and pushing each other. I think
we can all go out there and give a little more at nationals and make a real name
for Milligan.”
According to Layne, both teams are setting their sights on a top 20 finish.
“Right now we have nothing to lose as neither team has been ranked above 21 all
year,” Layne said. “Both teams were unranked going in to regionals, so we’re the
underdog.”
In addition to the individual and team achievements, Layne was named the Region
12 men’s and women’s coach of the year. This is Layne’s first cross country
coaching recognition, but he has been recognized as indoor track coach of the
year twice before.
“I have to give the credit to the team,” Layne said. “It’s their effort that
makes the coach look good.”
First team All-Region 12
Women:
Marta Zimon
Megan Lease
Lauren Gross
Men:
Sean Bowman
Chris Wright
Shane Oakleaf
Trevor Donovan
Second team All-Region 12
Women:
Amber Peace
Men:
Ted Dubois
Jair Collie
Josh Ferry
All-Conference (AAC)
Women:
Marta Zimon
Megan Lease
Lauren Gross
Men:
Sean Bowman
Chris Wright
Shane Oakleaf
Trevor Donovan
Ted Dubois
Jair Collie