By: Ryan Mosher | @ryan_mosher
Results
LAKELAND, Florida - For the second-straight season and third time in four years, the Embry-Riddle men's cross country team proved to be the class of the Sunshine State Conference. The Eagles, who have only been eligible for five SSC Championship meets, won a tight, three-team showdown against Saint Leo and Florida Southern on FSC's home course at Holloway Park, to claim the program's third SSC crown and 13th conference championship overall.
The Eagles put three runners in the top nine and all five scorers in the top 15 to edge Saint Leo, totaling 46 points to the Lions' 50. The Mocs finished third with 55 total points.
Ryan Szklany became the first runner in program history to earn a fourth SSC All-Championship Team honor, finishing third overall in 25:00, his fastest time at the SSC meet in his four tries.
Paul Kraemer placed sixth overall in 25:16, and he, along with
Brendon Shea, who finished ninth in 25:36, also earned All-Championship Team accolades.Â
Micah Blair posted a time of 25:42 to come in 12th individually, and
Tanner Rosolino secured the Eagles' title hopes with a 15th-place finish in 25:50. Had Rosolino not edged Saint Leo's Yassin Raffay (25:52) and Lynn's Hunter Dobbs (25:53), it would be the Lions that would have claimed the league crown.
Josh Collins (26:36) was the 25th finisher overall, and served as the Eagles' first displacer, followed by
Shaun Bullock in 29th (26:46).
Austin Epstein (33rd - 26:54) and
Josh Beam (39th - 27:11) both finished in the top-40, with
Garrett Noltemeyer (43rd - 27:29),
Jack Brooks (59th - 28:14),
Justin Nauman (63rd - 28:22),
Jacob D'Aleo (69th - 28:41),
Bryce Cole (71st - 28:53),
Justin Brown (92nd - 30:39), and
Charles Hruda (98th - 32:02) also all competing for the Blue and Gold.
The Eagles will now turn their sights to the NCAA II South Region Championship on Nov. 6 at The Abbey Course in St. Leo, Florida. A top-three finish at the region meet would qualify the Eagles for the NCAA II National Championship later in November.
The 2021 Embry-Riddle Men's Cross Country season is presented by Radiology Associates.
