The Mules are going back to the course where they had one of their most successful races this season. The teams raced at the Green Terror Challenge on Sept. 11, and both the men and the

Rothwell finished third the first time the Mules ran at McDaniel ...

women emerged victorious. For the men it was the first team victory away from home since 2000, and for the women it was the first team victory ever on the road. The men scored only 34 points, placing all of their top seven runners in the top 20, and the women scored 45 points, with five runners in the top 20.

The Muhlenberg coaches scheduled the first trip to McDaniel strictly for the purpose of getting acquainted with the difficult course. “I think

... and Mount placed seventh.

running at the course earlier this season truly prepared us for the bigger race at the end of this season, and we will be in better shape and ready to peak,” Assistant Coach Welles Lobb said.

Both teams’ biggest competition comes from Haverford and Dickinson.

On the men’s side Haverford is looking to capture its 12th consecutive championship title. The Fords have won every title since the inception of the CC and are currently ranked first in the region and fourth in the nation. Dickinson is sixth in the region, and Muhlenberg is eighth.

Junior captain Alexander Hotz will be competing for the first time since the Green Terror Challenge, in which he placed second. He has been sidelined due to an injury. Hotz was the Mules’ number one runner and placed fourth at the CC meet last season.

Senior Christopher Martin, sophomores Tim Seeley, Stephen Rothwell, Lex Mercado, Dave Chesny and junior Patrick Breault round out the top seven.

Of the top 15 teams in the women’s regional rankings, eight come from the CC. Dickinson is currently first in the region and 13th in the nation. Muhlenberg is 11th in the region, also trailing Haverford, Swarthmore, Franklin & Marshall and Gettysburg. The Mules defeated both Gettysburg (by three points) and F&M at the Green Terror Challenge.

The women’s team is looking for its best finish at the CC championships ever. Its previous best was fifth in 1997. Senior Jenna Belisonzi said, “We have been running very consistently this season and we are excited to compete, and to have the best season ever for Muhlenberg women’s cross country.”

The women’s team is led by Belisonzi, juniors Karen Mount and Christy Grandjean, sophomores Stephanie Conicella and Kim David and freshmen Sara Gearin and Laura Clinton.

Click here for the CC championship Web site.
Click here for McDaniel’s championship Web site.