Iona College Takes Home 2013 MAAC Cross Country Championships
MAAC Sports
Bronx, N.Y. - The Iona College Gael’s men’s and women’s cross country teams claimed the 2013 MAAC Championships at Van Cortlandt Park on Friday. Iona’s Kieran Clements was the men's individual champion, while Iona’s Kate Avery won the women's individual title.
The Iona men, currently ranked eighth in the nation and second regionally, took 7 of the first 11 places to win the meet with 15 points. It is the program's 23rd consecutive MAAC Championship. Canisius finished second with 73 points. Rider was third with 109 points.
The Iona women, ranked 8thregionally, claimed their 9th straight conference title with 30 points. Quinnipiac placed second with 59 points. Marist earned third place with 109 points.
Kieran Clements, a sophomore from Hadleigh, England, won the men's 8k race with a time of 25:27.94. Iona teammates Daniel Clorley (25:28.28) and Matt Gillespie (24:28.44) finished second and third, respectively.
Kate Avery, a sophomore from Newton Aycliffe, England won the women's 6k race with a time of 21:07.14. Avery’s time is the 2nd fastest time in MAAC history on the Van Cortlandt Park course. 21:07.14 is the top finishing time since 2011. Avery’s teammate Maya Rehberg (22:06.59) and Quinnipiac’s Niamh Ashe (22:12.05) finished second and third, respectively.
Iona College head coach Ricardo Santos was named the 2013 MAAC Women's Coach of the Year, while Nate Huckle of Canisius was named 2013 MAAC Men's Coach of the Year.
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
The MAAC, headquartered in Edison, N.J., consists of 11 member institutions in 2013: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter's University and Siena College. For more on the conference please visit, www.maacsports.com. Follow the MAAC on Facebook and Twitter: @MAACSports. Follow MAAC Cross Country on Twitter using the hashtag #MAACXC.
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