The men's cross country team finished another chapter in a storybook season last weekend by capturing the title at the New England Championships in Boston. This is the first time in 25 years that Dartmouth has won the meet.
Led by co-captains Ted Fitzpatrick '95 and Sam Wilbur '94, the Big Green placed three runners in the top five. Fitzpatrick and Wilbur both finished with times of 24:16, placing second and third, respectively. Aaron Bouplon '95 finished in fifth place, followed by Jack Dwyer '96 (15) and Chris Langan '96 (16).
"New England was a great race for our team, the best race of the season," Coach Barry Hartwick said. After finishing first in all four meets this season, Saturday's win moved the Big Green up to a seventh place national ranking in the latest coach's poll.
The men will now set their sights on the upcoming Heptagonals (Ivy championships) which will be held in New York City on October 28.
"That is always a very emotional meet for all of the teams, so we will have to stay very focused to win," Harwick said.
Co-captain Wilbur feels confident that the Big Green will continue to prevail when it comes down to the wire. "We want and expect to destroy the competition at Heptagonals. Our team is head and shoulders above the rest of the league, and that will show on race day. I guarantee it!" he said.
Beyond the Heptagonals, the men's team will focus upon the IC4A's which is the qualifying meet for the NCAA's.
"Our chances of qualifying for the NCAA meet are good at this point. However, the qualifying meet is not until November 12 and we have to run well on that day or our early success won't matter," Harwick said.
If the season thus far is any indication, the men's cross county team should have no problem running well or living up to their seventh place national ranking.
The immediate future of the men's cross county team also looks to be in good hands, as the JV team finished in first place this past weekend. Aaron Shumacher '98 and Jim Gerhart '98 placed first and second, respectively, to lead the Dartmouth JV team to a win.
