Embry-Riddle Wins 2012 Cross Country Crown
Results
LAKE WALES, Fla. - The 13th-ranked Embry-Riddle Eagles pushed their Sun Conference men's cross country title streak to eight on Saturday morning, winning the 2012 edition of the race by 25 points over second-place Webber International. Evans Kirwa also became the first student-athlete in Sun Conference men's cross country history to be named league Runner of the Year four times by claiming the individual title.
Kirwa finished the race in 25:06.91, nearly a full minute in front of SCAD Savannah's Ignacio Fernandez. Sophomore
Vincent Bett placed third in 26:06.05, capturing Sun Conference Newcomer of the Year accolades.
Alec Hernandez finished fourth in 26:21.24 and
Zachary Kraus ran a 26:39.51 for a seventh-place showing.
Jacob Dordick rounded out the Embry-Riddle scorers in 12th position, running in a time of 27:09.40.
The Eagles' 27 points was almost half of second-place finisher Webber International's 52. SCAD Savannah finished third with 57 points, while Warner (143) and the University of South Carolina Beaufort (165) finished fourth and fifth respectively. Southeastern (170), Johnson & Wales (185), St. Thomas (208) and Florida Memorial (253) rounded out the nine-team field.
On the first team All-Conference roster were Kirwa, Ignacio Fernandez (SCAD), Bett, Hernandez, Anthony Vecchio (USCB), Felix Alfen (WIU) and Kraus. The second team All-Conference performers were Gabriel Barron (WIU), Brandon Scott (WIU), John Golden (SCAD), Jeffrey Surran (WIU), Dordick, Eddie Holecko (SCAD) and Ryan Larson (ERAU).
Alexander Emrich of Southeastern was selected as the conference's Champion of Character award winner for 2012.
Emrich, a senior from Minerva, Ohio serves as the Fire's team captain in the program's first year of NAIA competition. Emrich holds a 3.59 GPA in Interdisciplinary Studies and is a member of the Florida Southern ROTC program. Emrich is currently the Cadet Executive Officer for the FSC ROTC Battalion, working with the Commander to command the 60 cadets, planning and executing all the training events for the battalion. Emrich will be commissioned into the Army National Guard as an Infantry Officer this year.
Emrich's volunteer service includes time with the Victory Assembly of God, Oasis Community Church, the Southeastern Preaching Team and an internship at the Louisville Assembly of God.
"In our first year as a cross country program, Alex has stepped in as captain and shown great leadership skills to many athletes who are new to the sport," Emrich's coach Paul Kurtz said of his captain.
Dr. Peter Orsmby of Webber International was The Sun Conference Coach of the Year.
2012 Sun Conference Men's Cross Country Championship
1. Embry-Riddle (27)
2. Webber International (52)
3. SCAD Savannah (57)
4. Warner (143)
5. USCB (165)
6. Southeastern (170)
7. Johnson & Wales (185)
8. St. Thomas (208)
9. Florida Memorial (253)
2012 All-Conference
First Team
Evans Kirwa, Embry-Riddle
Ignacio Fernandez, SCAD Savannah
Vincent Bett, Embry-Riddle
Alec Hernandez, Embry-Riddle
Anthony Vecchio, USCB
Felix Alfen, Webber International
Zachary Kraus, Embry-Riddle
Second Team
Gabriel Barron, Webber International
Brandon Scott, Webber International
John Golden, SCAD Savannah
Jeffrey Surran, Webber International
Jacob Dordick, Embry-Riddle
Eddie Holecko, SCAD Savannah
Ryan Larson, Embry-Riddle
Runner of the Year
Evans Kirwa, Embry-Riddle
Newcomer of the Year
Vincent Bett, Embry-Riddle
Champion of Character
Alexander Emrich, Southeastern
Coach of the Year
Dr. Peter Orsmby, Webber International