NEW YORK – The men’s and women’s cross country teams took first easily at the 2009 Metropolitan Championships in Van Cortlandt Park today, with junior Jacqueline Drouin taking the women’s title with her first place finish.
The women’s team dominated the field, taking first by 21 points, nearly 40 points more than its closest competitors. Rutgers, who came in next, finished with 60 points. Drouin smashed the field in the 6k race, as she came in first nearly 20 seconds ahead of the pack, in 18:08. Her nearest competitor, Kelly Flannigan of Rutgers, finished second in 18:22. But Columbia took third, fourth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth places on the way to dominating the competition.
First-year Caroline McDonough had a strong showing for the Lions, as she finished next in 18:23. She was followed by Erica Pearson (18:24), Clare Buck (18:26), Hannah Kligman (18:28), Trish Reilly (18:36) and Camille Murphy (18:37). 19 of the top 30 runners on the women’s side crossed the line wearing Columbia blue.
On the men’s side, Columbia pulled out the win with 45 total points, ahead of Rutgers, who finished with 63. Sophomore Andrew Buchanan had the top showing for the Lions, as he finished second overall, in 26:06 in the 8k race. First-year Blake Cowen was next for Columbia, coming in sixth in 26:22. He was followed by classmate Mark Feigen (10th – 26:27), senior William Ballenthin (13th – 26:40), sophomore Kyle Cooke (14th- 26:41) and first-year Paul Snyder (16th – 26:45). Senior Christopher Hays rounded out the top seven finishers, coming in 18th overall, with a time of 26:51.
Up next, both teams will prepare to head to Terra Haute, Ind. to take part in the annual Pre-Nationals meet, Saturday, October 17.
Source: Columbia University Athletics
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