THROGGS NECK, N.Y. (Oct. 29, 2009) – Maritime will be the host college for the 2009 Skyline Cross Country Championships, which will be held on Sunday, Nov. 1, at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. The women's 5000 meter championship race will start at noon and the men's 8000 meter race will start at 1 p.m.

“We are excited about being selected as the host college for the championship meet,” stated Maritime coach Jim Driscoll. “All ten schools have entered full teams for both races.”

 

St Joseph's College is the defending Skyline Conference champs for the men and women, but will receive stiff competition in both races. “Farmingdale State, Saint Joe's, and Maritime are the teams to watch on the men's side and Bard will give Saint Joe's all they can handle in the women's race,” said Driscoll.

 

In the men's individual race, Bard's Aaron Ahlstrom will be attempting to win his fourth title. The senior won his conference meet as a freshman when Bard was a member of the Northeastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) and has won each of the past two Skyline meets. “It will be fascinating to see if Ahlstrom can win his fourth collegiate conference title. If he does, he will tie a national record that can never be broken. He will have his hands full with a couple of Farmingdale State runners, however. It will be fun to watch”, said Driscoll.

 

20 Maritime students from the NROTC unit have volunteered to help manage the meet. “I would like to thank the Maritime students who have given up part of their Halloween weekend to help manage the meet”, stated Driscoll. “Hopefully, they can also bring the Maritime teams some luck.”