Behrend Men Claim 2009 AMCC Title

The Behrend Lions men's cross country team claimed the 2009 AMCC Championship on Saturday, October 31. 

The men's team captured the team title for the third straight season and fourth overall (2000, 2007, 2008, 2009). The women placed third for the second year in a row as Franciscan captured its second consecutive championship.  

"The men have left a statement that they are the dominant team in the AMCC for the third year in a row," said Head coach Greg Cooper."It was an exciting day for us, but it was really great to see two of our seniors, Kevin Gorny and Andy Iams go 1-2 in their final AMCC Championship run, and for Rob Shrawder to finish strong in his senior season. Juniors Steve Monnie and  Justin DiPenti, freshman Alex Myers and Josh Ferrell and sophomore Carl Kallgren also showed a lot of determination and mental grit today."

The pace of the men's team was impressive as the Behrend pack finished strong with a sizeable lead. Behrend claimed the top four spots, and eight of the first eleven to cross the finish line represented the Behrend blue and white. Leading the men's attack was senior Kevin Gorny (Erie/McDowell), a three-time all-conference performer, in 28:58. Senior Andy Iams (Harrison City/Penn Trafford), who was third at the 2008 AMCC Championship event, was impressive and placed second this year in 29:05. Juniors Steve Monnie (Renfrew/Butler) and Justin DiPenti (Russell/Warren) finished third and fourth in 29:07 and 29:10 respectively. Alex Myers (Oakmont/Riverview), Josh Ferrell (Sharpsville/Sharpsville), and Carl Kallgren (Erie/McDowell) were in seventh, eighth and ninth place in 29:55, 30:18, and 30:24. Rob Shrawder (New Wilmington/West Middlesex) finished in eleventh place in 30:30 while David Suhan (Mentor, OH/Mentor) was sixteenth in 31:11.