Men’s Cross Country 15th at the Brooks Pre-National Invitational

Keith Bechtol Has Monster Race, Finishes in Top 25.

10/14/06 3:50PM

TERRE HAUTE, IN - William and Mary’s 19th-ranked men’s cross country had a solid outing today at the Brooks Pre-National Invitational, taking 15th in the loaded “White” race. No. 5 Iona upset third-ranked Stanford by six points to claim victory. Liberty’s Josh McDougal won the race for the second year in a row.

Senior Keith Bechtol (Alexandria, VA) had an amazing run, placing 22nd to lead the Tribe in a time of 24:02.4. It was the first time since finishing 26th at Pre-Nationals in 2004 that Bechtol, a third-team Academic All-American last year, had led the Tribe in a race. Anthony Arena (Manassas, VA) was next across for the Green and Gold, finishing 80th in 24:44.8. Christo Landry (Falls Church, VA) was close behind in 84th (24:45.8), and was in turn followed by senior Sean Anastasia-Murphy (Gloucester, MA) in 87th place with a time of 24:47.5. Seniors Matt Wolak (Richmond, VA) and Joel Parker (Portsmouth, VA) rounded out the Tribe’s complement, finishing together in 25:21.2 and 25:21.8, respectively.

W&M had three harriers in the open race as well. Jared Campbell (Franklin, IN) finished in 25:29.6, and Rob Dennis (Little Silver, NJ) and Dan MacKay (Whitinsville, MA) finished in 25:35.3 and 23:35.5, respectively.

William and Mary returns to action on October 27 when it aims for a seventh-consecutive Colonial Athletic Association title in the conference championship in Newark, Delaware.

Brooks Pre-National Invitational “White” Race
Top Five Teams
1. #5 Iona 100
2. #3 Stanford 106
3. #25 Florida 217
4. #21 Notre Dame 255
5. Iowa 270
…
15. #19 WILLIAM AND MARY 433

Top Five Individuals
1. Josh McDougal (LIB) 23:14
2. Joseph Lomong (NAU) 23:18.7
3. Jacob Korir (EKU) 23:24.5
4. Neftalem Araia (STAN) 23:29.4
5. Forest Braden (BOIST) 23:38.5

W&M Individuals
22. Keith Bechtol 24:02.4
80. Anthony Arena 24:44.8
84. Christo Landry 24:45.8
87. Sean Anastasia-Murphy 24:47.5
165. Matt Wolak 25:21.2
166. Joel Parker 25:21.8

Open Race
W&M Individuals
56. Jared Campbell 25:29.6
68. Rob Dennis 25:35.3
69. Dan MacKay 25:35.5