Worcester, MA --- The Worcester State Cross Country team participated in the Worcester City Meet on their home course at Moore State Park in Paxton, MA on Saturday morning, 9/27/08. Running only four team members, the Lancers did not post a team score. While the rain held off for the women's race earlier in the day, the men weren't so lucky. By race time, the rains had begun again.
Leading the team again this week was senior Forest Wilber. Wilber ran a tough race, but fell victim to the difficult course conditions. Trying to run aggressively, he fell twice during the race and ran well below his own course record pace (27:03.9). He finished in 28:36 and had to settle for 5th overall.
Chris Mancuso also was attempting to regain his stride from last year as the second Lancer finisher. He placed 35thplace overall, but was well off his best time on the course. Sophomore RJ Stahelski, was one who did run well and just missed matching his best time on the course by 1 second, a time run at the end of October last year and in much better weather conditions during the conference championships.
Junior Norman Everett also continued to improve, running a significantly faster time than either race last year despite the rain dropping during the race. Everett was able to knock off 1:43 from his best last year.
While sickness & injuries have taken its toll so far this season, the Lancers continue to take one week at a time and work hard to improve from each previous week. With several races and the conference meet still ahead, the season is still ripe for a few surprises happening before the season's end.
Release Courtesy of Al Halper --- Men's Cross Country Coach