Oct. 30, 2010
Results in PDF
EASTON, Pa. - Led by Andrew Hanko's individual title, the Navy men's cross country team captured its third consecutive Patriot League championship on Saturday in Easton, Pa. Hanko led the field with a time of 24:22 and became the first runner in Navy history to win consecutive Patriot League championships. With 43 points, the Mids edged second-place finisher American (52 points).
"We've worked hard for this," said Hanko. "The guys really believed and it was great to see people step up with all the injuries and sickness on the team that we've had. Seeing other guys step up is just amazing."
With the title, Navy head coach Al Cantello garnered his third consecutive Patriot League Coach of the Year honor. Cantello is just the third coach in conference history to garner the honor at least three consecutive seasons since the awards inception in 1991.
"We're rattled with sickness and injuries, but a few guys stepped up and filled in the voids," said Cantello. "It was a total team effort. The guys all stepped up."
Ken Bunnell was the second Navy finisher to cross the finish line as he placed eighth, overall, with a time of 24:56.
The Midshipmen then locked up the title when they had five of the next seven finishers. Kyle Satterwhite (25:06) and Matt DeVillers (25:17) took the 10th and 11th places, respectively, while a trio of Mids followed in the 13th-15th spots.
Jeremy Haney and Dean Black posted identical times of 25:27 and Dominic DellaPelle followed with a mark of 25:29.
Bunnell, Satterwhite, DeVillers, Haney and Black all garnered Second-Team All-Patriot League honors by placing in the top 14.
Freshman C.J. Elward was the top-finishing freshman at the meet, as he placed 18th with a time of 25:31. For his effort, Elward was named Rookie of the Meet.
Hanko is the seventh runner in Patriot League history to win consecutive conference titles and first since American's Brendan Fennell won back-to-back titles in 2006-07. By virtue of his finish in Saturday's race, Hanko garnered his third First-Team All-Patriot League honor. He is the first three-time, First-Team All-Patriot League honoree in Navy history.
"It feels great," said Hanko. "The team did really well and looking back and seeing all the guys coming through the finish line was a great sight."
Hanko's time ranked third on the League meet's all-time performance list.
The Midshipmen will have next weekend off to prepare for the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship, which takes place Nov. 13 at Penn State University. The top-two teams at the regional championship will advance to the NCAA Championship.
Men's Final Standings
1. Navy 43
2. American 52
3. Army 86
4. Colgate 106
5. Lehigh 120
6. Bucknell 130
7. Holy Cross 192
8. Lafayette 246
