By Julian Markese
Sports Editor
After dominating the NE10 Championship, the women’s and men’s cross country teams were victorious in the NCAA Division II East Regional in Hopkinton, New Hampshire.
Both teams will now advance to the NCAA Division II National Championship.
This marks the fourth straight title for the men and the second ever East Regional title for the women.
The Owls won both individual titles, as well as securing an additional podium spot in each race.
Runner Courtney Henchcliffe, a senior, is the first woman from the university to win an individual championship at the regional level. She finished the 6K with a time of 21:29.1, almost 10 seconds clear of the next closest competitor.
Runner PJ Dauphinais, a junior, finished third with a time of 21:46.2, marking a personal best for her.
Runner Jonathan Volpe, a senior, finished first place in the 10K with a time of 31:02.8. He was followed by runner Colton Sallum, a freshman, who took home third place, finishing at 31:42.6.
For their efforts over the course of the season, several Owls were recognized with individual awards.
Both Head Coaches John Wallin and Melissa Stoll Funaro won a NE10 Coach of the Year award. It was Wallin’s fourth straight time receiving the award, marking his fifth total.
After winning the NE10 and regional individual championships, Henchcliffe and Volpe were both recognized as the Runners of the Year. Henchcliffe is the second women’s runner to win the award for the Owls, while Volpe is the third men’s runner.
Sallum won Rookie of the Year. He is the fourth men’s runner to do so for the university in as many years.
The teams will travel to Kenosha, Wisconsin on Saturday, Nov. 22 to compete in the NCAA Division II Championships. Thirty-four schools will be competing on both sides.
