Cross Country Team Heads to the Horizon League Championship

by YSU

Friday, Oct 30, 2015 11:11 am

The Youngstown State men's cross country team will be competing to win their first ever Horizon League title at the conference's Cross Country Championships on Saturday morning at the Cedarville University Elvin R. King Cross Country Course in Cedarville, Ohio.

The men's 8k race is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Eastern Time.

Last year, YSU placed third in the event. The men were ranked 14th this season in the Great Lakes Region by the USTFCCA, right above other Horizon League opponent Milwaukee.

Leading the men's team is senior, Austin McLean.

McLean has had an impressive year as he competed in four out of the five meets. In every meet, he had a top-ten finish overall and was also honored Horizon League athlete of the week of Oct. 12. McLean led the men's side with two team victories at the Disney World Cross Country Classic and the Penn State National Invitational. He placed first at the Tommy Evans Invitational, second at the Disney World Cross Country Classic, sixth at the Duquesne Duals, and eighth at the All-Ohio Championships.

After only competing in three of the five meets, sophomore Ryan Sullivan has been a key athlete to the team.  Sullivan placed first at the Penn State National Invitational for an overall team win, 10th at the Disney World Cross Country Classic, and 32nd at the All-Ohio Championship.

Sophomore Alan Burns has also had a strong season by taking third at the Tommy Evans Invitational, ninth at the Disney World Cross Country Classic and third at the Penn State National Invitational. Junior Ethan Wilson has been a main runner as he has competed in all five meets and has always finished in the top-four of the YSU team.

Senior Jon Hutnyan will be a key component as he finishes his last year. Hutnayan has raced in every meet throughout this season's campaign and has been in the top-four finishers for the Penguins team.

The men's team also includes standout sophomores Mike Navratil, James Nedrich and freshmen Aaron Benka, Michael Dahmen, and Derek Morrison to succeed a championship title.

The Penguins have had an impressive year with strong finishes from each of the men. The men's team will go up against its top opponent, Milwaukee to compete for the Championship.

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