Men's Cross Country Earns Historic Second Place Finish at AAC Championships

Thursday, October 25

New Orleans, La.

Temple University

American Athletic Conference Championships

Men's Cross Country Earns Historic Second Place Finish at AAC Championships

10.25.18 | Men's Cross Country

Results

NEW ORLEANS – The Temple University men's cross country squad made history today, earning their rightful place on the podium for the first time in school history at the American Athletic Conference Championships Thursday morning. The squad finished second overall behind a high caliber Tulsa team, battling tough weather conditions through a wet, muddy 8,000-meter course at The Golf Club at Audubon Park in New Orleans, La.

Results
> Tulsa walked away with the conference title after compiling 32 points on the day. The Golden Hurricane placed four in the top 10 and six in the top 12 to earn them first place overall at the American Athletic Conference championships for the fifth straight year.
> The Temple men's squad left with a trophy for the first time in program history, finishing second overall after compiling 51 points on the day. The Owls got on the podium after placing three in the top 10 and five in the top 20 in today's field of 86 runners.
> UConn came next in the team results, wrapping up the top three with 91 total points. The Huskies placed one in the top 10 and three in the top 20, finishing behind Temple for the first time ever at the conference meet.

Quotable
> "We got beat by a Tulsa team that has never lost in conferences, and is looking to make the national meet," said head coach James Snyder. "When you are racing against foes like that, everyone has to be ready to step up to the plate. One performance that stood out was Zach Seiger. He really put himself in the race, pushing forward throughout the course for one of his best races of the season."
> Snyder discussed the All-Conference performers, and the way the squad persevered through harsh weather conditions. "Four guys on the podium is more than we have ever had before, which is a testament to where our program is headed. It's one of those things where you go on to compete another day. I'm proud of the way our guys raced under conditions that were pretty adverse, and now we look forward to the Regional meet in just two weeks."

Race Notes
> Overcoming the slick golf course conditions and finishing in the number one spot for the Owls was Zach Seiger. The junior earned fifth overall, putting the Cherry and White in the top five at the conference meet for the first time in program history. Seiger ran the 8,000-meter course in 27:34.66, earning him a spot on the All-Conference squad for the first time in his career.
> Finishing right behind Seiger was sophomore Kristian Jensen. Jensen's sixth place finish was the second-highest ever for Temple at a conference meet, racing the course in 27:40.12. Jensen's efforts also landed him a spot on the All-Conference team for the first time in his career.
> Crossing third for the Owls and wrapping up the top 10 was senior Louis Corgliano. One of Temple's steadiest performers, Corgliano ran the 8,000-meter course in 27:56.40, earning him his first All-Conference accolades for his efforts on the day.
> Junior Kevin Lapsansky was not far behind his teammates, finishing 14th overall with a time of 28:16.70. Lapsansky was the fourth Temple runner to earn All-Conference honors, receiving the accolades for the second year in a row.
> Wrapping up the top five for the Cherry and White was junior Harry Powell. Overcoming early challenges in the race, Powell hustled his way to a top 20 finish with a time of 28:26.91.

Up Next
> Continuing their post-season schedule, Temple will head to State College, Pa. to compete in the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional meet on Friday, Nov. 9th. The No. 7 regionally ranked Owls will be race a contingent of familiar opponents, as they look to build off of multiple impressive performances from the 2018 season thus far.