Women
First-year Ali Simeone was Amherst’s first finisher, completing the six kilometer course in 23:24. Simeone claimed 51st place out of more than 200 runners. Following her across the line 15 seconds later was junior Hallie Schwab.
Schwab, who was designated “Runner of the Meet” by head coach Erik Nedeau, said, “The individuals on this team came together as never before and had the courage to trust one another. Although only seven could race, the fact that we were able to cross the finish line in Cleveland is really a testament to the perseverance of the entire team this fall.”
Less than two seconds after Schwab’s finish, senior tri-captain Sophie Galleher crossed the line. Her time of 23:40 earned her 69th place overall and third place on the team. Melissa Sullivan ’12 came through the chute next for the Jeffs, and junior Mercedes Taylor rounded out the team’s scoring with a time of 24:43.
First-year runners Sarah Daly and Keri Lambert finished sixth and seventh for the Jeffs, running times of 24:56 and 25:24, respectively, and gaining valuable experience at the highest level of collegiate competition.
Taylor, Amherst’s fifth runner, said, “The women’s team gutted it out through a hard race — I think most of us were pretty exhausted from an intense season. We didn’t finish where we wanted to — we were hoping to crack the top 10 and we instead came in 21st — but, overall, we had a spectacular season. We did more than anyone expected us to, and the team saw a lot of individual improvement.”
Since Galleher was the only senior of the seven Amherst runners at the National meet, the core of the team will return next year to compete for the Championship.
Men
Leading the Jeffs as he has often done this season was senior tri-captain Daniel Murner, whose eight kilometer time of 26:18 was good enough to secure an impressive 31st place finish in the team competition. Following Murner was Will Yochum ’11, who placed 51st with a time of 26:31. Eric Holaday ’10 crossed the line roughly 30 seconds later, running a 27:03. Right on Holaday’s heels was junior Steve Corsello, who clocked a 27:08. Amherst’s fifth and final scorer was senior Jimmy Swanson, who took 146th place overall with a time of 27:26.
Amherst’s sixth and seventh finishers were junior John McGrail and senior Kit Callahan, who concluded impressive seasons with times of 27:29 and 28:42, respectively. Callahan was the only member of the Amherst men’s team who competed in every race this season.
Nedeau said, “The team finished 17th overall, and, despite some setbacks this year [including the noticeable absence of injured senior Carlyle Eubank at Nationals], it was a solid finish for the season and one in which we will try to improve upon next fall.”