UM Runners Travel To BIG EAST Championships
Oct. 30, 2003
Bronx, N.Y. (hurricanesports.com) – The University of Miami men’s and women’s cross country teams will take part in the BIG EAST Cross Country Championships on Friday, October 31, at historic Van Cortland Park in the Bronx, N.Y.
The women’s six kilometer race is scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. with the men’s eight kilometer championship following at 1:10 p.m.
The University of Miami men’s cross country team has recorded one of the best seasons in school history. The Hurricanes have won two of five events this season and finished in the top-3 of two others. Miami is ranked 12th in the South Region by the USCCCA.
Miami has been led by sophomore Alex Brutvan (Boca Raton, FL). Brutvan has been the Hurricanes top finisher in every event this season including a victory at the FIU Invitational. He has finished among the top-7 runners in five of six races this season.
The Hurricanes have also received strong performances from freshman Tom Berry (Stamford, CT). Berry has been UM’s No. 2 finisher at every race this season including three top-5’s.
The Miami men will face some stiff competition at this year’s championships including four teams ranked among the top-24 in the nation. Villanova enters the BIG EAST Championships ranked 11th in the country followed by 13th-ranked Georgetown, 20th-ranked Providence and 24th-ranked Notre Dame.
The University of Miami women’s cross country team has also put together an impressive season. Led by sophomore Melanie Schultz (Davison, MI) the Hurricanes have finished either first or second in three of four races including a victory at the Hatter Cross Country Invitational.
Schultz has been UM’s top finisher in three races this season including victories at the Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish Invitational and the FIU Invitational. Freshman Lindsay Rohrs (St. Charles, MI) has also been impressive finishing as the No. 2 Hurricane in all three events in which she competed. Junior Marilyn Ruiz was Miami’s top finisher as the Hurricanes won the Hatter Cross Country Classic. Ruiz finished third overall.
The women’s field is extremely strong including seventh-ranked Notre Dame, eighth-ranked Providence, 16th-ranked Georgetown, 25th-ranked West Virginia and 27th-ranked Boston College.
