For Immediate Release

October 28, 2006

Eric Lonergan Takes First Place at
Little East/MASCAC Alliance
Men’s Cross Country Championship

Providence, RI—Rhode Island College senior Eric Lonergan (North Kingstown, RI) placed first overall at the Little East Conference/MASCAC Alliance Men's Cross Country Championship, hosted by Keene State College on Saturday, Oct. 28.

Lonergan, who earns All-Alliance/Little East honors for the second consecutive year, placed first with a time of 26:44 among a field of 128 competitors. Lonergan has finished first overall in five of the six invitationals he’s competed in this fall.

In other action this season, Lonergan placed first with a time of 29:16 in a dual meet with Little East rival Eastern Connecticut on Oct. 14. He placed first with a time of 26:17 at the Roger Williams Invitational on Oct. 7. Lonergan placed first with a time of 26:33 at the Tri State Invitational on Sept. 30. He placed first with a time of 30:38 at the Ray Dwyer Invitational on Sept. 23. Lonergan opened the season with a ninth place finish at the UMass Dartmouth Invitational on Sept. 16.

He is an elementary education major with a concentration in general science and a 2003 graduate of North Kingstown High School.

Head Coach Kevin Jackson’s team placed 10^th (14 teams) in the Alliance with a score of 249. The Anchormen placed fourth (six teams) in the Little East with a score of 134.

In other action at the Alliance Championships, junior Greg Ahnrud (Chepachet, RI) placed 63^rd overall with a time of 30:35, freshman James Smith (Saunderstown, RI) placed 64^th overall with a time of 31:40, junior Mike Van Gieson (Foster, RI) placed 66^th with a time of 31:54, sophomore Bryan Diggle (Scituate, RI) placed 68^th overall with a time of 33:01 and junior Greg Clark (Pawtucket, RI) placed 70^th with a time of 33:28.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will compete at the ECAC New England, Div. III Championships, hosted by Williams College on Saturday, Nov. 4.

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