RELEASE DATE: 7/11/06

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Cross Country Runners Impressive in Boilermaker 15k

UTICA, NY -- Members of the Men's and Women's Cross Country teams looked impressive in the 29th running of the Utica Boilermaker 15k Road Race on Sunday July 9th in Utica, New York. Five members of the men's team and two women made the trip to Utica for the race.

The men's Cross Country program will look to improve to one of the top programs in the PSAC this season after picking up some outstanding incomers while the returning athletes continue to improve.

Bryan Morseman led the Mountaineer charge with a personal best performance of 49:50 for the 9.3 mile race. That time is the fastest 15k in Mansfield University history, and was fast enough to place Bryan 41st overall. 41st may seem unimpressive at first, until you hear how over 9,400 runners finished the race, and a multitude of professional athletes from Kenya and around the world partake in the race every year.

Bryan's impressive performance was not the only one of the day. Chris Cummings turned in a best performance in the Boilermaker of 50:09, the second fastest time in school history, and good enough for 45th overall.

A high note for the men's squad will be two newcomers this season. Bryan's little brother, Branden Morseman, will join the Mountaineer squad as a freshman this season. Branden turned in the third fastest 15k in school history. Also joining the team this season is Dave Sanford. Sanford transfers to Mansfield this season from Bloomsburg. Dave ran the fourth fastest 15k in school history, despite not feeling as well as he hoped during the race.

Rounding out the men's performances from the Boilermaker was senior Jon Holtz, who turned in the sixth fastest 15k in school history. The Mountaineer men seem to have things rolling in the right direction as they prepare for the 2006 season.

The men were not alone on Sunday, as Rachel Hall made sure the Mansfield women's presence was felt. Hall will assume the lead runner position on the team this year with the graduation on Charity Walker. Rachel ran the second fastest 15k in school history and finished in the top 40 women in the race with a time 61:10.

Megan Dever, a transfer from Mohawk Valley Community College, ran a personal best as well.

Away from the Boilermaker, other incoming freshman competed in the Junior Olympics Regional meets. John Mark Stoltz won the 5,000 and finished second in the 1,500 and will advance to the National Championships in both events. On the women's side, newcomer Jess Wagner, won the 3000 meter run and will advance to the National Championships.

The Cross Country teams will kick off the 2006 season at home as they host the Mountaineer Flatland Opener on Friday night, September 1st at 6:00pm.