Tufts Runs Together for Second at Twin Brooks

(10/16/2004) Full Results

The Tufts Cross Country Team returned to Twin Brooks Recreational Park, home of the Division III New England Regional meet. As can be expected in Maine on a fall day, the temperature was a cool 60 degrees with a strong breeze running over the hills. Tufts returned to a course that had been slightly modified in order to simplify the loops and thus avoid the mishap of last year?s leaders. While the team was not concerned about the competition of this meet, there were many questions about the plan of the opposing teams. Last year Keene had just jogged around the course and this year Wesleyan and Ben Schmeckpeper of MIT were seen doing a workout around the course. The reason for the team?s attitude towards the competition was that this was designated as a hard tempo run, where the top group was instructed to run at 5:30 pace while the second group was to stay at 5:40s.

At the gun many of the questions about how teams would be taking this race was answered when Keene, Trinity (without Sullivan), MIT, Coast Guard, and Brandeis all jumped out to the front. The Tufts pack calmly held back and let the leading group stretch out the field. Ultimately, the front pack for Tufts consisted of Nate Brigham, Matthew Lacey, Josh Kennedy, Matthew Fortin, Peter Bromka, Brian McNamara, and Kyle Doran. Those souls that went out a little too hard from the beginning found themselves in the unfortunate situation of being quickly passed by no less than seven white and blue jerseys, a mental letdown if there ever was one.

David Bridgewater of Keene State won yet another race, finishing in a quick 26:30, despite the wet course conditions, 34 seconds in front of second place. In a photogenic finish, the Tufts 7 (27:38) ran down the final stretch side by side until they were squeezed by the narrow finish line, which it just so happened played a large part in the distribution of awards. The pack finished 12th through 18th and awards were only given for the first 15, so the 3 unlucky team members who were squeezed out by the finishing chute were plum out of luck.

Overall the team scored 70 points, good for second, 21 points behind a Keene State team that seemed to be running at full strength. MIT was third scoring 77 points without their front-runner. MIT and Keene State are fighting for the final NE region spot to nationals and by this race seem to be very evenly matched at this point in time.


Full Results