What happens when 300 runners line up together for a five-mile championship race? A lot of dust, a lot of pushing and a lot of fast times. On Friday, the men's cross country team lined up against such schools as Boston College, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, MIT, Williams College and Yale University in the New England Men's 2001 Cross Country Championships. Despite having to race some of the top schools in the country, both in Division I and Division III, the Jeffs managed to finish 19th overall and seventh in the Division III category.

As the men crossed the finish line one by one, they were covered in sweat and plastered with dirt and dust. Despite their appearances, almost every Amherst runner was smiling. Matthew Katz '05 paced the Jeffs yet again, finishing 67th overall with a time of 26:16. While he has been leading the pack for the past four races, this time he managed to extend his lead over the rest of his teammates by half a minute, largely due to a strong fifth mile and powerful finishing kick. John Stanton-Geddes '04 finished second for the Jeffs and 103rd overall with a time of 26:40. "Although I was pretty happy with my race, I would have liked to stay up there with Matt," said Stanton-Geddes.

Co-captain Ben Kozyak '02 and Zeke Phillips '05 were only seconds behind their teammates, finishing 127th and 132nd overall, with times of 26:56 and 26:59 respectively. Phillips has been an incredible asset to the team thus far.

"I think we were all pretty satisfied with our day overall as a team. I think we know, too, that we haven't yet reached our potential, and it's exciting to think not only about the day we had, but also about what lies ahead," said Phillips. "For myself, I wish I had raced a little more aggressively in the early to middle-and the latter part too-of the race, and I hope to improve on that in the upcoming meets."

Alex Lenkoski '03 was an integral part of the team last season, but due to a string of injuries this fall he has been off to a slow start. Friday's meet changed this when he finished second for the team in the junior varsity race, and looked noticeably stronger during the race. "Alex had a breakthrough race this weekend. This is clutch because we needed this as a team, and I think he needed this as an individual," said Head Coach Erik Nedeau.

As for the meet overall, Nedeau praised his team's performance. "We wanted a top-20 finish and we got it.  We wanted a top-10 finish in Division III schools and got it. Despite so much dust, so many people, and so little room to move around in the pack, our boys had a successful meet, both as a team and as individuals." 

Look for the Jeffs to battle hard against Wesleyan University and Williams next weekend at the Little Three Championships at Wesleyan.  With a healthier Mike Page '04 and another strong race from Lenkoski, the Jeffs should fly.