It has been quite a season for Adelphi cross-country. It has been almost three months since we opened camp and started practice and I could not be more proud of the way that the runners performed this season. From top to bottom, every single kid on the roster came to practice and worked hard all season, their attitudes were tremendous and all their perseverance and commitment paid off.

On October 22, the runners accomplished something that had not been done since 2001 when they captured both East Coast Conference (ECC) team titles. The women out distanced the field by 21 points, while the #3-6 runners came up big in the men's race to help us score 36 points and tie with C.W. Post for a share of the title. We also placed 12 runners on the all-conference teams (six men and six women).

The biggest impact in both races at the conference championships was the way the #3-8 runners on both sides responded. Our depth really gave us a chance to win. I would also like to recognize and congratulate all the teams in the ECC. The conference as a whole gets faster and better every year, which is promising for the future.

On November 5, the runners continued their season at the NCAA Division II Northeast Regional in Boston. I cannot say enough about our lone senior, Jaime Julia-Perez and the race he ran. He earned all-region honors (11th overall - 32:04), but missed out on a national berth by 10 seconds. However Jaime should have no regrets, he ran a tremendous race and was in the mix with 300 meters to go.

The rest of the men's team produced when it counted, again #2-6 came up big and helped us to a fourth place finish, the highest Adelphi men's finish in at least a decade. The women went off second and ran tough in a very fast race, they again got a large contribution from #3-5, especially Melissa Coelho, Meghan Farrell and Margaret Penner who all ran smart.

The women placed fifth overall, their first top-five finish since 2002, when they placed second and earned a trip to Nationals.

We are going to close out our season at the IC4A championship meet on November 18. Also, be on the look out for information regarding the 60th anniversary of Cross-Country/Track and Field at Adelphi University. We are planning a celebration to be held on November 3, 2007 at the NCAA Division II Northeast Regional hosted by Adelphi University at Van Cortlandt Park.

Also, please feel free to contact me through email at siepiola@adelphi.edu. .

Sincerely,
Adam Siepiola