Jumbos Pack Well at Open NESCACs

(10/30/2008)

With the Jumbo Top 12 gearing up for the NESCAC Championships this coming Saturday, a group of six ventured down to Wesleyan University for the NESCAC Open Race. Less than two weeks away from the ECAC Championships where the second seven will represent the team, the final couple of spots were up for grabs at this week's race.

Sophomore Sam Hutchinson led the way for the squad covering the challenging 8k course in 29:07. Right on his heels was a pair of teammates, junior Josh Gordon and freshman Scott McArthur, finishing in 29:25. Rounding out the top five were sophomore Anthony Pellittieri in 29:31 and freshman Erik Antokal in 29:41.

After getting off the line well, Hutchinson and a tight chase pack worked themselves into the back half of the race. Over the next 2.5 miles, the crew moved up through a string of struggling racers that went out too hard. As they ventured back into the final woods loop with 1.5 miles to go, there was a great pack of Jumbos running approximately 30 seconds back from Hutchinson. The pack kept to the race strategy and stormed the final woods loop to overtake a number of runners. When all was said and done, Tom Akita of Wesleyan ran a great race to defend his home course and a group of young Jumbos took a huge step forward towards some great great pack running.

TUXC finishes up their NESCAC running this coming weekend at the NESCAC Championships at Pineland Farms Course hosted by Bates College. The men kick off the day at 12:00 followed by the women's 6k at 1:00.