Shannon KeoughCabrini men’s and women’s cross country teams started off the Cavaliers domination of the CSAC Championships at Immaculata University with three runners finishing in the top 10 on Saturday, Nov. 7.
“I’m proud of the team and what we did here today,” Tyler Rooke, freshman educational studies major, said.
Diane Gapinski, junior elementary education major, finished third overall with a time of 20:14.33 on the 5k course, which was a team best for the women. This was Gapinski’s first CSAC championship running healthy.
“It feels really good to have finished in third here, but I wish I could have brought home the title,” Gapinski said. “I’m looking forward to regional’s and I have high hopes for nationals.”
The CSAC championship marked Gapinski’s fourth straight third-place finish in a field of 69 runners.
Shatievah Lewis, freshman undecided major, finished one spot behind Gapinski clocking in at 20:49.16 and taking fourth place. Quianna Volney, sophomore business administration major, finished with a time of 22:27.00 in the 19 spot.
“This was a great experience and I’m really looking forward to regional’s and my next four years competing for Cabrini,” Lewis said.
Rooke, who has had much success in his rookie campaign and has paced the Cavs throughout the season, finished sixth against 66 other runners on the 8k trail, clocking in at 29.03.
“It was my goal to place in the CSACs at the beginning of the year and it’s nice to have reached my goal,” Rooke said. “My next goal is to make first team in regional’s and compete at nationals.”
Anthony Girolamo, sophomore accounting major, placed next for the men’s team at 39th place overall.
The men ranked fifth out of eight other teams. The women finished third out of nine teams. Gapinkski, Lewis and Rooke will all compete at regionals in hopes of running in nationals.
“This was an exciting day running in this type of atmosphere,” Rooke said. “It was a great day individually and as a team.”
