• CAA Meet Website

NEWARK, DE -- Many of the top runners in the East will be on hand Friday morning, Oct. 27, when the University of Delaware plays host to the annual Colonial Athletic Association Mens’ and Women’s Cross Country Championships at White Clay Creek State Park.

The event will begin at 10 a.m. with the women’s six-kilometer race followed by the men’s eight-kilometer race at 11 a.m. The awards ceremony will take place at 12 noon. White Clay Creek Park is located on Route 896 in Newark, just before the Delaware/Maryland state line. Admission to the event is free but there is a charge for parking of $3 for vehicles registered in Delaware and $6 for vehicles registered in another state.

Delaware is hosting the CAA event for the first time, although the Blue Hens hosted the America East championships in 2000.

On the women’s side, William and Mary is looking to claim its fourth straight CAA championship and its 14th overall while James Madison has never finished lower than second at the event over the last 11 years, winning the title four straight years in 1999-2002.

The Blue Hens have improved steadily at the meet the last four seasons, placing seventh in 2002, sixth in 2003, fifth in 2004, and fourth in 2005. The team enjoyed its best CAA finish in 2001 with a third place showing and last won a conference team title in 1995 when it captured the North Atlantic Conference team crown.

Delaware is led by Colleen O’Brien, who placed third at the CAA meet each of the last two seasons, Julia Somers (14th at 2005 CAA race), twins Christina Antonopoulos (at right) and Ioanna Antonopoulos, Brooke Maguire, and Liz Paul. Earlier this season, the UD women captured the team title at the Hofstra Invitational and at both Delaware Invitationals at White Clay Creek State Park.

In the men’s race, William & Mary will be shooting for its seventh straight title and its 14th in the last 17 years. The Tribe is led by Christo Landry and 2005 CAA champion Ian Fitzgerald. Delaware placed fourth each of the past two seasons and placed third in 2001 and 2002.

The Hens are led by senior P.J. Meany, who has led the team each of the past two seasons, placing eighth overall in 2005 and 23rd in 2004 at the conference meet. Other top UD runners are senior Kyle Schmid, Gregg Cantwell, and Tyler Mayforth. Earlier this season, the UD men captured the team title at the Hofstra Invitational and at both Delaware Invitationals at White Clay Creek State Park.