GLASSBORO, N.J. – The Ursinus College men's cross country team finds itself in top form heading into the upcoming Centennial Conference championship after a spectacular performance at Saturday's Inter-Regional Border Battle hosted on the West Campus of Rowan University.
Nearly 400 individuals and 43 full teams took part in the largest collegiate race ever held in the state of New Jersey, and the Bears' seven-man contingent put forth an impressive effort amongst a historic field that included eight top-25 programs.
Almost all of Ursinus' runners outperformed – and in some cases shattered – their previous collegiate bests in an inspired effort that left the Bears in 35th place overall. In fact, no member of the men's cross country squad had broken the 27-minute mark since Vince Flood did it three years ago - until Saturday, when four Bears accomplished the feat. Junior Joseph Iuliucci was first across the line with a clocking of 26:12.5, nearly a minute ahead of the pace he set at the Paul Short Run two weeks ago.
The Bears' freshman trio of John Haase (26:23.6), James McDaid (26:45.9), and Logan Mazullo (26:50.9) all crushed their former season bests; Mazullo did so by more than 75 seconds, and McDaid by almost 100 seconds.
Sophomore Andrew Voyack registered a collegiate PR by nearly 40 seconds (27:41.4), and freshman Craig Lauer posted a time of 27:53.1. Sophomore Jonny Cope ran to a collegiate best of 28:26.7.
Among Centennial Conference outfits, Haverford finished 4th, Johns Hopkins 10th, and Swarthmore 29th.
The men's cross country team will compete in the CC championship meet at Haverford on Saturday, October 29.