DELHI, N.Y. (October 27, 2018) – The SUNY Delhi men's cross country team defended their ACAA title in overwhelming fashion Saturday, as the Broncos grabbed nine of the top ten spots. Led by first-place finisher Kobie Lane for his third straight individual crown, Delhi totaled 17 points to win the competition by 29 points. With the 8K contest taking place on a cold, rainy afternoon at SUNY Delhi's College Golf Course, it marked the Broncos' third straight ACAA title, and second straight since becoming members of NCAA Division III.
Delhi grabbed the first three spots, with Lane defending his championship clearing the course in 27:09.9. Lucas Reilly was next to cross the finish line at 28:34.0, while Abshir Yerow earned third at 28:54.6. After Alfred State's Shawn Rutledge took fourth (29:17.3), the Broncos continued their run across the top ten. Ted Oster was next to take fifth at 29:21.9, while Kevin Malen captured sixth at 29:29.7, Devon Benarick seventh at 29:41.4, Jack Hopkins eighth at 29:57.3, Bladimir Pena ninth at 30:13.8, and Caleb Mallery tenth at 30:42.6. Anthony Cuchel contributed for the Broncos in 16th place at 32:20.9, while Jahdei Rodriguez-Reid captured 21st at 38:16.3.
Delhi did not stray too far from last year's script, when they also captured the first three spots. However, Lane was the only member of both trios, as Reilly and Yerow joined this year's elite three-pack. Reilly improved from his fifth-place performance in 2017, while Yerow is in his first season with the Broncos. Those three, along with Oster, Malen and Benarick, all earned First-Team All-ACAA. Hopkins, Pena and Mallery were accorded second-team honors.
"The men looked very good today," said head coach Robb Munro. "Kobie, Lucas and Abshir looked strong up front. I thought Lucas looked better than he has all season. Ted and Kevin ran really tough in the second half of the race and I feel very confident with where we are looking two weeks out to USCAA nationals. When we get to Virginia, we will run the full contingent all out for the first time this year and I am really excited to see what they can do!"
With three consecutive ACAA championships complete, the Broncos will look to accomplish their ultimate goal of a third straight USCAA national title on Friday, Nov. 9 in Virginia Beach, Va.
