Musketeers Set To Compete In National Catholic Championships

Sept. 15, 2011

CINCINNATI - Xavier's cross country teams will load the bus and head to South Bend, Ind. this Friday to take part in the 32nd Annual National Catholic Championship at the Notre Dame Cross Country Course.

Thirty-three teams and a combined 823 runners will compete in the championship. The women's 5-kilometer race begins at 4:15 p.m. ET, with the men's 8-kilometer (five mile) race beginning at 5 p.m. A junior varsity race will be held prior to the start of both the men's and women's races at 3:30 p.m.

At last year's race the men's team placed fourth with 91 points, while the women finished sixth with 199 points. The goal for this weekend's meet is simple for head coach Dan Flaute.

"We're trying to improve upon last year finish on both sides," Flaute said. "Our ultimate goal is to get Top 3 finishes for the men's and women's teams."

Nine runners are allowed to start the championship races. All remaining XU runners will compete in the JV race.

This will be the Musketeers' first 8-kilometer race for the men's team this season.

Senior Keith Albrektson was the top returning finisher from last year's National Catholic Championship. He finished 15th with a then personal-best time of 25:30. Sophomore Tom Ohlman was named the A-10 Rookie of the Week following his 17th place (25:34) at last year's race.

Also expecting to run in the championship race for the men will be freshmen Travis Hawes, Corey Zielinski, Connor Buchholz, sophomore Chris Hanson, juniors Matt Conigilo and Ben Foley, and senior Ben Nathan.

Xavier's women team will be running its third 5-kilometer race in as many meets on Friday.

Senior Caylin Howell finished 32nd at last year's meet and is the top returning finisher. She finished with a time of 18:48, while sophomore Ashley Vincent clocked a time of 18:58 for 42nd place. Junior Rachel Clark tied her personal best at the race last year, and will be running for the first time this year.

Rounding out the other six runners for Xavier will be redshirt freshman Chelsea Hoffmaster, sophomores Abby and Clare Fischer, Anna Ahlrichs, and juniors Caitlin Price and Calesse Cardosi.

The Musketeers enter Friday after triumphing over Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky last week to win the Queen City Invitational for the second year in a row. The men placed second as a team, while the women's team won the event. Xavier edged out Cincinnati by three points to retain the Queen City Cup.

Atlantic 10 foes Dayton and Saint Louis will be competing in Friday's races.

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