BOSTON – For the first time in program history, Suffolk men's cross country will run at the Pre-National Championships this Friday, Oct. 4 at the LaVern Gibson Championship Course at Rose Hulman in Terre Haute, Indiana. The 8k men's race gets underway at 9:45 p.m.
FOLLOW ALONG
Don't miss any of the action from the Pre-National Championship. Live results can be found here, and the race can be viewed here.
SOCIALIZE
Ram Nation has a chance to keep up with all the latest news and notes on Suffolk Athletics, its student-athletes and teams by following the Rams on Facebook, Instagram and X. Fans are encouraged to use the hashtag #RamNation a behind-the-scene look at Suffolk Athletics.
THE FIELD
The Pre-National Championship is open to any NCAA Division III institution for Championship and Open Races with the championship meet capped at 46 NCAA DIII programs with a maximum of 10 student-athletes per team. Both Suffolk's squads were selected to the championship race.
The men's race will feature eight nationally ranked teams in No. 3 Wisconsin Whitewater, No. 5 Pomona Pitzer, No. 22 Washington, No. 12 MIT, No. 28 Haverford, No. 29 Santa Cruz, No. 26 Loras, No. 10 George Fox and Chicago, who is receiving votes, as well as a dozen regionally ranked squads including Suffolk's regional counterpart Babson.
On the women's side, nine team land in the nation's top-30 in No. 2 Chicago, No. 4 MIT, No. 10 Washington, No. 19 George Fox, No. 22 Connecticut College, No. 21 Washington and Lee, No. 17 Depauw, No. 29 Santa Cruze and No. 18 Central with a handful others ranked in their respective regions including the Rams at sixth in the East. Suffolk will also be joined in Terre Haute, Indiana by its Conference of New England (CNE) counterparts Endicott and Gordon.
THE DISTANCE
Suffolk's squads will be racing the NCAA DIII standard of 6k for the women and 8k for the men. It is the second meet in 2024 that the Rams will run those distances.
THE COURSE
The LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course will be the host of the 2024 NCAA DIII Championships in mid-November and teams will get a preview of it this Friday, Oct. 4 for the Pre-National Championship.
It has hosted 13 NCAA DI National Championships and the 2012 NCAA DIII National Championship. Most recently, the 2022 NCAA DI Great Lakes Regional was run on the course.
COACH'S QUOTE
"Having both teams selected to compete in the Championship races at Pre-Nationals is a massive accomplishment for our program," head coach Will Feldman said.
"Racing at night will be a first for myself and our teams," Feldman continued. "It will be a unique challenge for all teams competing, and I can't wait to see how our teams handle racing that late, and under the lights. I wouldn't be surprised to see several upsets in the scoring, and a relatively slower race due to the unique conditions."
SUFFOLK'S SCOUT
- A top 30-35 finish is the goal of the men this weekend.
- Thomas Novy and Tim Barry will be going for the top 30 finishes leading the way for the team.
- The rest of the Rams line-up will be made up of Hayden Green, Jacob Dubin, Cam Fredette and Connor Hayward.
LAST TIME OUT
Suffolk men's cross country finished sixth at the Cardinal Invitational Saturday on a wet, rainy and soggy The Wes Fuhrman '05 Trails Cross Country Course.
MORE READING: Men's Cross Country Places Sixth at Cardinal Invitational
RAMS RECOGNITION
Thomas Novy made the most of his senior season debut as Suffolk men's cross country's captain was tabbed Conference of New England (CNE) Co-Runner of the Week following his personal-best performance at the Cardinal Invitational.
MORE READING: Novy Named CNE Co-Runner of the Week
SPEED IS HIS STRENGTH
After qualifying for NCAA DIII championship in 2023, cross country runner Tim Barry is poised for a breakout season.
MORE READING: Speed is his Strength
SUFFOLK'S SCHEDULE
The Rams return to New England and will prep for the Connecticut College Invitational Saturday, Oct. 19.
