Catholic University has Fantastic 2025 Coference Championship

Catholic University had a fantastic Landmark Conference Championship on November 1. Both the men and the women finished second in the conference. In the women’s race, Catholic University had the second-place overall finisher, a freshman who shows great promise.

The top seven finishers in the men’s race for Catholic University all set PRs (personal records, the best times they ever had). The conference championship sets Catholic University up well to compete in the NCAA regional championship in two weeks. Do you think Catholic University runners will set more personal records in the NCAA championship?

Catholic University at the Landmark Conference Championship

Catholic University had an outstanding Landmark Conference Championship in Oak Ridge Park, Clark, New Jersey. Both the men and the women finished second in the conference. In the men’s 8 KM race, there were again 14 runners for Catholic University, and most ran faster than ever before.

Joe Wolfe, a senior, was the top finisher again for the Cardinals. Wolfe ran 25:19.80 for the race. Michael Brunet, a freshman, ran a very fast 25.30.52. Tim Sweeney, a freshman, was the next best runner for Catholic, competing in the 8 KM race for the first time with a time of 26:17.32. Richard Harrington finished with a time of 26:18.07.

He finished in 1 place behind Sweeney. Joey Locke, a junior, ran 26:21.02 and finished two places behind Harrington. Tim Brown, another freshman, finished next with a time of 26:30.92. Patrick Morris, a sophomore, finished next in 27:09.75. Those top seven runners all set personal records.

Peter Winter, a sophomore, finished with a time of 27.07.9. He finished in 42nd place. Shane Waring came in next for Catholic University in a time of 27:35.45. Brady Falcon finished next in 27:43.98.

The Finale Finisher

The final male finisher for the Cardinals was Daniel Ponciano in a time of 28:01.81. That was a season’s best time. Kendrick Dupree finished in a time of 28:19.57. Matt Haugh finished next for Catholic University in 28:42.00. When it was all said and done, the Catholic University men finished second in the conference.

In the women’s 8 KM race, the Cardinals finished second overall as well. Freshman Olivia Sobkowicz finished the race in 22.00.47. That was good for the second-place overall finish. In fact, Catholic University had three of the top ten finishers in the conference championship race. Junior Laurel McMahon finished next, fifth overall in 22.30.46. 

Alexa Grassi, a junior, finished in 23:08.58. She finished in eighth place overall. Bridgid Cavanaugh, a freshman, finished in 23:52.47. Erin Roche, a freshman, was next in 24:52.32. Catherine Lorelle, a sophomore, finished in 25:05.57. Mia LaMarra was next in a time of 25.29.70. Sara Roberts, also a freshman, finished in 26.18.56.

Emma Schulenburg finished in a time of 26:24.18. Isabel Doran, a freshman, finished in 26.28.24. Lily Mitchell finished in a time of 29:09.71. Julia Becker brought up the rear in a personal record time of 29:13.25.

Preparing for the NCAA Championships

The NCAA regional championship is next for Catholic University, on November 15. The race is in Salem, Virginia. Then the NCAA championship is two weeks after that. The strong showing by Catholic University at the Landmark Conference Championships positions them well to compete in the NCAA Championships.

How the NCAA championship races work, as Catholic University head cross country and track coach Steve Rahn said, “You have to qualify at the Regional Championship in cross country. The top team has an automatic qualifier.

Then the selection committee chooses twenty-two other teams to qualify. After those teams are selected, the top seven individuals from each region who are not already on a team will go individually.

Conclusion

Catholic University did very well in this meet, placing second in both the men’s and women’s races. They had the second-place finisher overall in the women’s race and three of the top ten finishers. The top seven male finishers all set personal records.

Coach Rahn, the head coach of track and cross country at Catholic University, said, “The team really stepped up in a big spot. They trusted their work and each other. Both teams have an extremely bright future.”