Oct. 27, 2007

2007 NEC Men's Championship

2007 NEC Women's Championship

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (October 27, 2007) - The Sacred Heart men's cross country team turned in their best-ever finish at the Northeast Conference Championship coming in 3rd while the women took 4th and were led by NEC Freshman of the Year Kimberly DeLoreto (Hillsdale, NJ). Juniors John Kenworthy (Gloversville, NJ) and David Jones (Ballston Lake, NY) earned the men's program it's first-ever All-NEC honors

The men's previous best finish came in 2003 when they took home fifth place; otherwise, SHU has never finished higher than eighth in nine years in Division I. The Pioneers improved from 10th last year and were picked to finish ninth in this season's NEC Preseason Coaches' Poll.

"After years of finishing in the bottom half of the conference this is a huge breakthrough for our men's program," stated head coach Christian Morrison. "With our youth, we expect to contend for the NEC team title next year."

Kenworthy's fifth place finish and Jones's 12th place mark put them in the All-NEC group as the top-14 finishers earn all-conference accolades. SHU's best individual finish previously was 20th, by Matthew Uzenski in 2002. The duo smashed their previous performances at the race with Kenworthy taking 54th last year and Jones 29th.

Kenworthy's time of 26:30 was a personal best by seven seconds and moved him to fifth on SHU's all-time performance list for cross country. Jones crossed the line in 27:00.7. "Dave and John were just average high school runners that no one recruited. It is extremely gratifying for me as their coach to see them make All-NEC. They have worked their behinds off for this."

Luis German (Southampton, NY), who red shirted as a sophomore last year, improved upon his 53rd place finish from his freshman year by coming in 17th with a time of 27:09.2. Sophomore Ryan Murdoch (Niantic, CT) improved from 58th last year by coming in 27th in a time of 27:33.4. Fellow sophomore Brendan Rickert (Danbury, CT) improved as well, jumping up from 50th last year to a 34th place finish in a time of 27:47.2.

The Pioneer women have placed in the top-four in the NEC race for seven consecutive years, and have never finished lower than fifth (2000). "Our women have maintained a high standard for so many years to the point where 4th place seems disappointing. It's not though. All of our top runners are very young, so we can't help but be excited about the future."

In addition to her Rookie Award, DeLoreto brought home All-NEC honors by placing eighth overall with a time of 18:36.0. DeLoreto is the 2nd SHU athlete to win NEC Freshman of the Year Honors in the past three seasons. Junior co-captain Kathleen Henry, who is red shirting this season, was NEC Freshman of the Year in 2005.

"Kim has had an outstanding freshman year. I expected her to be a good runner in college, but she's succeeding beyond my wildest dreams."

Sophomore Sarah Tencza (Succasunna, NJ) improved from 30th a year ago running to a 12th place finish and All-NEC status. She improved upon her personal best by 30 seconds despite the adverse conditions with her time of 18:48.2 moving her up to eighth on SHU's all-time performance list.

"Sarah ran a very aggressive race. She went out and wrestled an All-NEC spot away from other athletes who are supposed to be better than she is. Not anymore."

Freshman Samantha Troy (Lebanon, CT) had her best race of the season to finish 22nd, missing a personal best by only 6 seconds with a time of 19:19.8. Twin sister Dana Troy (Lebanon, CT), who has been the top-freshman in the NEC all season and who was the favorite to win Freshman of the Year honors (along with All-NEC accolades), was slowed down by a viral infection and fever and finished the race in 59th place.