ROCHESTER, Mich. - The Leatherneck men's and women's cross-country teams closed out their respective regular seasons at the Summit League Championships in Rochester, Michigan on the campus of Oakland University on Saturday (Oct. 27).
There were a few All-League honors for the Leathernecks on Saturday. Michael Castel finished 5th overall and received 1st Team All-League. This was Castel's third All-League Honor. Last year, he received an All-League honor in cross-country and outdoor track and field.
"Mike Castel was top five for the men," said third-year head coach David Beauchem. "He covered the first four to five moves in the race, but the lead group got away from him after the 5k. He ran them down at the finish and was a very solid 5th place."
Chase Marlow earned 2nd Team All-League honors, which is the first of his career.
"Chase Marlow ran the best race of his career," said Beauchem. "He moved through much of the Men's field to get the 14th place finish."
Alycia Thurston was able to capture an All-League honor for her 9th place finish on Saturday.
"Alycia (Thurston) ran a great race. She made a very hard move at 3k to get into the top 10 and she was able to hold on in a very tough battle to stay in the top 10. Her All-League honor was definitely hard fought and well earned," continued Beauchem.
The Leatherneck men finished 5th overall in the conference on Saturday led by Castel's 5th place finish.
"The men's team is disappointed in 5th place. We expected more. It was a tough course and we did not close as well as we have been closing in our earlier races. We have accomplished a lot in this season and we will race a full men's team at the Regional Meet," said Beauchem. "We have set some high goals for the men's team and we have another race to accomplish them."
The Leatherneck women finished 8th overall on Saturday.
"The women's team moved up a place from a year ago and we are definitely making progress. We will race Lydia Smith and Alycia (Thurston) in the Regional meet in two weeks," ended Beauchem.
The NCAA Midwest Regional meet for the Leathernecks will take place Friday, November 9th in Springfield, Missouri on the campus of Missouri State University.
MEN:
5. Michael Castel - 25:25
14. Chase Marlow - 26:24
18. Zach Wiedeman - 26:36
40. Trenton Hopper - 27:26
42. Ryan Wojdyla - 27:31
44. Mark Holt - 27:41
51. Kevin Kamm - 29:00
WOMEN:
9. Alycia Thurston - 22:39
23. Lydia Smith - 23:30
49. Chelsea Lynes - 24:20
57. Mackenzie Gray - 25:58
58. Alyssa Johnson - 26:00
