BROOKVILLE, N.Y. (Oct. 24, 2015) - The Molloy College cross country programs had reason to celebrate Saturday as the men and women raced on the Brookville course at LIU Post in the East Coast Conference Championships. The men placed second out of nine institutions, while the women were seventh-best in the ten-team race.
On the men's side, seniors
Mike Darnell (Wantagh, N.Y.) and
Conor Gallagher (Belle Harbor, N.Y.) continued what has been a historic run by earning All-ECC First-Team accolades and second- and third-place finishes, respectively. Darnell claimed a runner-up spot with a time of 25:08.86 while Gallagher finished the course in 25:10.58 to earn a podium position. Darnell put forth a 5:03.6 mile pace, while Gallagher set a blistering 5:03.9 minutes per mile average. Finishing in 13th place with a time of 26:36.35 was freshman
Brian Michels (Patchogue, N.Y.). The finish was not only good enough for an All-ECC Second-Team distinction for Michels, but he also earned conference Rookie of the Year honors by virtue of him being the highest-finishing freshman in the field of competitors.
In the 72-runner field of the 8K race in Brookville, senior
Thomas Dreyer (Floral Park, N.Y.) ran across the finish line with a 20th-place time of 27:21.11. Sophomore
Travis Laderer (Sea Cliff, N.Y.) was 22nd overall (27:30.81), junior
Shane Martensen (East Islip, N.Y.) earned a 29th-place finish in a time of 27:44.51 and sophomore
Liam Gallagher (Belle Harbor, N.Y.) clocked a 34th-place time of 28:10.50.
In the women's race, freshman
Gabriella Martins (East Meadow, N.Y.) was the highest finisher for the Lions by crossing the line in 30th place (20:27.99).
Roberts Wesleyan won both the men's and women's team championships for the second consecutive year. Senior Thomas Rodger was the men's individual champion for the Redhawks, while NYIT junior Sarah Jerotich took home the title in the women's race.
Both Molloy men's and women's cross country teams will gear up for the NCAA Northeast Regional race, to take place in Hopkinton, N.H. on Nov. 8.
