R.I.T. Athletics

ROCHESTER, NY -The men’s cross country team wrapped up the 2009 season strong with a showing at the NCAA Championships.

Throughout the season the team competed and finished near the top of the competition. The tigers placed first in three races; the SUNY Cobleskill Invitational, the Highlander Invitational hosted by Houghton College and the Empire 8 Championship, where the team had eight runners earn All-Conference honors. They also had several second place finishes, most notably their second place finish at the SUNY Albany Invitational where they competed against and defeated many Division I schools. The result of that race boosted them into a national ranking position of 26 on the USTFCCA national poll. After a fourth place finish at the NCAA Region Qualifier race, the team was an at-large selection, enabling them to advance and compete in the NCAA Championships as a team. The team finished 31 out of 32 teams at the event.

Senior Jared Burdick had a tremendous season and led the team for the majority of the season. Burdick was the team’s top finisher for 5 out of 8 races he competed in. Burdick was named Empire 8 Runner of the Week for 5 weeks throughout the season and was named Empire 8 Runner of the Year after winning the Empire 8 Championship held at Saratoga State Park. Burdick blazed through the 8,000 meter course in a time of 25:34.15. Burdick was also named Rochester Area Colleges Athletic’s athlete of the week twice during the season as well at RIT’s male Athlete of the Week twice.

Senior Mike Brindak also had a successful season and was consistently one of the team’s top runners. Brindak recorded a career best at the Albany Invitational, finishing the 8,000 meter course in a time of 25:14. Brindak earned an All-Conference honor after finishing second at the Empire 8 Championship. Brindak finished out the season strong by being the top runner at the NCAA Championships.

Senior Mike Hardbarger also had an outstanding season, leading the team in the first race of the season. Hardbarger won the SUNY Cobleskill Invitational, setting the pace for the successful season. He was also consistently one of RIT’s top runners, earning Empire 8 second team honors for his 11th place finish at the Empire 8 Championship.

Along with those mentioned above, the team members who earned Empire 8 All-Conference honors include Zach Miller, Nick Meeker, Nick Lowe, Mike Kurvach, and Mike Bradley.

The team will be losing several athletes, including 3 of their top runners.