2007 Middle Atlantic Conference Championship Preview - Men & Women

The 2007 Middle Atlantic Conference Cross Country Championship takes place in Doylestown for the first time as Delaware Valley College serves as the proud host. The best the MAC has to offer in cross country gathers today to crown individual and team champion for both the men and the women.

WOMEN
Elizabethtown College and Messiah College have combined to win the last four team championships, including the last two by Messiah. In fact, the Falcons have edged Elizabethtown by five points in each of the last two years. Third place is wide open between returning teams Albright College, Delaware Valley, DeSales University, FDU-Florham King’s College, Lebanon Valley College, Lycoming College and Widener University as well as conference newcomer Manhattanville College.

Individually, senior Erin Fisher of Elizabethtown is back to defend her crown. She topped the field in '06 with a 6K time of 23 minutes, 8.13 seconds and she also has a pair of meet victories this season. Elizabethtown's Tiffany Kulp is also back after placing eighth last year with a time of 26 minutes, 12.39 seconds.

Messiah has a pair of top 10 placewinners returning as well in Sarah Clemmer and Erin Rhodes. Clemmer took seventh a year ago with a time of 26 minutes, 6.52 seconds. Rhodes placed ninth with a time of 26 minutes, 15.58 seconds.

MEN
Elizabethtown has dominated the MAC in recent time with eight straight championships, including last year’s 13-point victory over Messiah. The two should have another head-to-head battle for the 2007 title. Lebanon Valley and Widener finished tied for fourth a season ago followed closely by DeSales. That trio will battle for the third spot this year.

There will be a new individual champion for the first time since 2003 as four-time champion Macharia Yuot of Widener has graduated. Three of the top 10 placewinners from last year are back led by junior Frank Eanes of Messiah. Eanes placed third with an 8K time of 27 minutes, 34.21 seconds. Senior John Nastus of DeSales finished seventh a year ago with a time of 27 minutes, 59.37 seconds while sophomore Arthur Black of Messiah took eighth with a time of 27 minutes, 59.37 seconds.