JC Represents Men at Nationals, Women Take Fifth

(11/18/2006) Full Results

This past weekend, Senior Justin Chung traveled to Wilmington, Ohio, for the 2006 NCAA Championships at Voice of America Park. The park was billed all fall as one of the fastest national courses in recent years, but when all was said and done, the course would race almost a full 1:15 slower than last years challenging Ohio Wesleyan course. Two and a half inches of rain on Thursday seemed to have no effect on the already water-logged course as shin deep puddles and ankle deep mud would be the course themes for Saturday?s championship races. The TUXC Crazies? made the annual trip out to Wilmington--15 hours each way--and handled the muddy conditions with ease as they cheered and chanted for their teammates.

Justin Chung positioned himself well off the line coming across the 1 mile marker in 45th place; however, Justin shared 45th place with approximately 25 other competitors. The slow course and added bodies from last year?s championships created a mobbed scene throughout the first 2 miles. This second mile proved to be Justin?s most difficult. Battling the jostling pack while slipping and sliding around the course fighting for footing, Chung would fall back nearly 50 places in the second mile. Justin dug in and attempted to regain a good rhythm and get his race back on track through the next two miles, but the course conditions just scoffed at JC?s half inch spikes making forward progress impossible.

The leadership and success of Justin Chung's senior cross country season could not be fully represented in this NCAA race. Justin, the team's front runner for the majority of the season, stepped up big for the 2006 Jumbos when fellow classmate Josh Kennedy was out due to injury. Chung helped lead a talented, but 8k inexeperienced, crop of fellow Jumbos to 5th in the region when most people had written off Tufts entirely.

Saturday?s races would prove to be two of the slowest national championship races in history. Widener senior Macharia Yuot would take the men's crown with a time of 26:31. He would go on to run a 2:25 marathon in Philadelphia the next day. After his triple national champion showing in the 10k, 5k, and steeplechase last spring, nothing is surprising when it comes to Yuot. On the team side, Calvin College would live up to their pre-race billing with 6 All Americans placing their top 5 within the top 17 of the race.

On the women?s side, Tufts University equaled the performance of last year?s men?s team grabbing the 5th place spot. Juniors Katy O?Brien and Cat Beck would garner All American status with sophomore, Evelyn Sharky just missing the podium in 36th place. Look for the Jumbos to fight for a podium finish as a team next year as they return a very powerful pack to lead the 2007 squad.

Find the official race recaps and results at the Wilmington College page here.


Full Results