Men’s Cross Country Earns 10th Consecutive Trip to NCAAs

Bechtol Leads Five From W&M in Top 25

11/11/06 4:15PM

LOUISVILLE, KY - William and Mary’s men’s cross country team is returning the NCAA Championships for the 10th year in a row after clinching an automatic berth with its second-place finish at the Southeast Regional this morning. No. 8 North Carolina State earned the region title by six points over the College, and Eastern Kentucky’s Jacob Korir was the top individual by more than 20 seconds. Only five other schools have been to the last ten national championships besides the Tribe.

Senior Keith Bechtol (Alexandria, Va.) was the top Green and Gold harrier for the second time this season, finishing seventh in a time of 30:38 for the ten kilometer course to pick up his first all-region award (given to the top 25 finishers). Junior Christo Landry (Falls Church, Va.) finished right behind Bechtol, claiming eighth in 30:44. Landry’s classmate, Ian Fitzgerald (Glenshaw, Pa.), third at this race last year, finished 12th with a time of 30:58.2. Junior Dave Mock (Johnstown, Pa.) earned his first all-region accolade with his 20th-place showing, and junior Anthony Arena (Manassas, Va.) made his first appearance on the All-Southeast team in 23rd place. Senior Jason Schoener (Grand Blanc, Mich.) rounded out the Tribe’s effort in 37th, running 31:55 in his third regional appearance.

William and Mary will take part in two championship races next weekend. On Saturday, November 18, the Tribe will look to capture its third IC4A (Eastern States’) Championship at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. Two days later, Monday, November 20, the College will compete for the National Championship in Terre Haute, Indiana.

NCAA Southeast Region Championships (10K)
Top Five Teams
1. #8 North Carolina State 64
2. WILLIAM AND MARY 70
3. #26 Louisville 80
4. #25 Virginia 131
5. Clemson 201

Top Five Individuals
1. Jacob Korir (EKU) 30:03.1
2. Josh McDougal (LIB) 30:23.8
3. Itay Magidi (CLEM) 30:28.0
4. Cory Thorne (LOU) 30:31.0
5. Jan Foerster (UVA) 30:34.4

W&M Individuals
7. Keith Bechtol 30:38.0
8. Christo Landry 30:44.0
12. Ian Fitzgerald 30:58.2
20. Dave Mock 31:21.9
23. Anthony Arena 31:33.3
37. Jason Schoener 31:55.0