2009 Cross Country Season Wrap-Up

The University of the Cumberlands Men and Women’s cross country teams has finished what proved to be another outstanding season. Both teams did well in the Mid-South Conference (MSC) Championship and had representatives compete at the NAIA National Meet in Vancouver, WA.

The men’s team consisted of seniors: Josh Laughlin (Bellbrook, OH) and William Slider (Louisville, KY) juniors Nathaniel Clouse (Corbin, KY) David Cupp (Jellico, TN) and Zak Zivkovic (Strongsville, OH) and sophomores: Landon Hamilton (Andover, OH) and Aundreas Lopez (Radcliff, KY) and freshmen: Trevor Jones (Somerset, KY) Michael McMillen (Cincinnati, OH) Steve Mize (Louisville, KY) Kevin Morgan (London, KY) Andrew Wade (Hardyville, KY) and Nick Blair (Coal Grove, OH).

Throughout the season, the men had 5 top ten finishes and they came in 2nd at the MSC Championship. Leading the way for the Patriots at conference was Josh Laughlin (3rd, 25:58.24), Aundreas Lopez (5 th, 26:40.51) Landon Hamilton (13th, 28:15.80), Steve Mize (15th 28:34.64), and Trevor Jones (16th, 28:41.13). The team had a strong performance and earned a 2nd place finish. Josh Laughlin and Aundreas Lopez both earned a spot in the NAIA National Championship Race. At nationals, Laughlin finished in 105 th place finishing with a time of 26:43.00 and Lopez finished in 270 th place with a time of 28:29.00.

Earning MSC honors were Josh Laughlin and Aundreas Lopez who both made the All-Conference Team. Making the MSC Academic All-Conference Team as well was Laughlin.

Looking on to next year, the Patriots will graduate their #1 runner on the year and team captain, Josh Laughlin. Laughlin led the Patriots throughout the year in most competitions. He finished 3rd in the MSC Championship and was named MSC Runner of the Week four times this season. Laughlin was also a role model for the team, as he was chosen to receive the Most Valuable and shared the Golden Guts Award with Lopez. The Cumberlands will also lose team member Will Slider who has worked hard and contributed significantly for the Patriots. The Patriots will have many strong runners returning to compete for the MSC title once again. Returning will be Lopez, and Hamilton, who both helped lead the Patriots to many of their top ten finishes this season. Also, returning will be Blair, Cupp, Clouse, Jones, McMillen, Morgan, and Wade.

The women’s team consisted of senior Elyse Velte (Waynesville, OH) and Brooke White (Kettle Island, KY) sophomores Lauren Kachel (Pickerington, OH), Shannon Schaffer (Fairfield, OH), Megan Swope (Hamilton, OH), Sagan King (Convoy, OH), and Lauren Louive (Massillon, OH); and freshmen Brianna Cecil (Williamsburg, OH), Jennifer Marcum (Springboro, OH), Darcey Mascotti (Bellbrook, OH), and Audrey Springer (Pataskala, OH). Throughout the season, the women had 3 top ten finishes and came in 1 st place at the MSC Championship Race with a total of 42 team points. The Patriot Ladies finished in 7th place at the Southeastern XC Classic and 8 th at the Wilmington Invite.

At the MSC Championship, Cumberlands had four runners finish in the top ten. These top ten finishes earned them a spot on the MSC All-Conference Team. Those runners were Darcey Mascotti, Lauren Kachel, Lauren Louive, and Elyse Velte. Making the Academic All-Conference Team was Lauren Louive.

Leading the way for the Patriots throughout the season was freshman Darcey Mascotti. Mascotti was awarded Most Valuable by her team. She finished 2nd at the MSC Competition with a time of 19:53.81, which helped earned her and the Patriots a spot at the NAIA National Tournament. Mascotti was also one of two Patriot ladies to earn MSC Runner of the Week for the Cumberlands. Lauren Kachel was the other.

Looking on to next year, the Patriot ladies will only lose one competitor and will have their main runners return. Returning for the Cumberlands will be King, White, Kachel, Schaffer, Louive, Cecil, Marcum, Mascotti, Springer, and Swope. Having the lead runners return for the Patriots proves to make them a tougher competitor.

The Cumberlands Cross Country Teams are coming off of a season where both men and women were represented in the NAIA Championship. The goal for next year is to remain and improve to #1 in the conference and to return to the NAIA National Meet.

 

[2008 Wrap-Up] [2007 Wrap-Up] [2006 Wrap-Up] [2005 Wrap-Up] [2004 Wrap-Up]