MAAC Championships
Saturday, Nov. 2
Women's 6k – 11 a.m.
Men's 8k – 12 p.m.
Holmdel Park – Holmdel, N.J.
 
Following a two-week rest period, the Niagara University men's and women's cross country teams are preparing to race at the MAAC Championships on Saturday. This season's race will be hosted by Monmouth University.


Pre-Race Notes (Women)

• Entering the weekend, Nora Klinowski has been Niagara's first finisher in each of Niagara's four meets this season. In her last 6k at Lehigh on October 5, Klinowski set a new personal record by finishing the Paul Short Run in 22:15. Dating back to the start of her freshman season in 2017, Klinowski has finished first for Niagara in each of the 16 meets she has competed in.
• Annina Marullo and Elle Russell have also run in all four meets this fall. Marullo's 23:57 at the 6k Yellowjacket Invitational on September 14 was a personal best until Lehigh two weeks later (23:06). Russell also set a new personal 6k record at Lehigh, finishing in 24:51.
• The Paul Short Run saw four more runners break their previous personal bests in the 6k: Emma Bagnato (26:26), Julia Freemire (24:00), Meggie Hart (23:03), and Erin Murray (25:08). All told, seven of Niagara's 11 runners set new PRs that day.
• Grace Kibler's time of 26:39 in the Yellowjacket Invitational 6k was her personal best.

 
Pre-Race Notes (Men)

• The Paul Short Run was a major success for the men as well. Five of the team's seven athletes broke their own personal bests in the 8k. Ryan DeLola's time of 26:26 was the team's fastest time.
• Andrew Bloom (29:23) and Spencer Swoboda were two more runners to clock their best-ever 8ks at Lehigh on October 5.
• After running in his first-ever 8k at the University of Rochester on September 14, Bobby Adams lowered his times in each of the team's following meets. His current PR – set at the Canisius Alumni Classic on October 19 – stands at 28:55.
• Kevin Verdejo's first 8k of the season was also a personal best. In the 35 days between the Yellowjacket Invitational and the Canisius Alumni Classic, Verdejo shaved 69 seconds off his 8k time. His current personal record is 28:45.
• William Schwarzmueller also ran his first 8k in Rochester, then finished 37 seconds under at Canisius to set his PR at 28:02.

 
About the MAAC Championships

• Niagara has only participated in one event hosted by Monmouth: The 2017 MAAC Championships. That year, both sides finished 10th out of 11 teams.
• At the 2018 MAAC Championships hosted by Siena, Klinowski ran the course in 24:04.1, good for 63rd overall.
• Julia Freemire had her best result of the 2018 season at MAACs, coming in second for the Purple Eagles with a 24:42.0, 75th overall.

 

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