Men Repeat as National Runner-Up

Team Results          Individual Results

(11/30/06) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - All-American Carlos Handler placed 6th overall with a time of 24:46.95 as GSAC and NAIA Region II champion Concordia took 2nd place for the second-consecutive year at the NAIA Cross Country Championships at E.P. Tom Sawyer Park.

Handler was just 41 seconds off the pace set by individual champion David Cheromei of Virginia Intermont. He trimmed nearly 30 seconds off his time from last season when he took 26th place.

Senior Marco Venancio also earned all-America honors by taking 12th place with a time of 25:04.85. The top 30 finishers each earn all-America honors, helping Concordia to join just four other teams with more than one runner earn the prestigious title.

"I couldn't be happier and it had to be the best showing I have seen all season," said head coach Martin Gonzalez. "We stressed the concept of teamwork all year and to display it at the national level was amazing."

Though the Eagles did experience success, they also had to battle through their share of adversity. Mike Schmidt battled through illness earlier in the week and was far short of feeling at his best. He refused to give up, however, and still managed to post a time of 27:12.45.

The misfortune continued as the team also had Pat Marion battling injury after being of the top five runners through the entire regular season. Forced to do cross training to try and maintain his fitness leading up to the race, Marion fought hard to turn in a time of 26:14.45.

With the team needing other members to step forward, Andres Padilla and Jorge Jabaz both responded when called upon. Jabaz scored in 28th position for the Eagles and 39th overall with a time of 25:52.50. Padilla was not far behind, taking the 38th scoring slot and 52nd overall after crossing the line in 26:02.65.

Taking the 5th and final scoring position for the Eagles was Sean Brosnan, who last ran at the national level back in 1997. His score of 53 points with a time of 26:13.40 was good enough to give the Eagles a team total of 136 points.

"It was inspiring to see Andres and Jorge move up and take roles of our 3rd and 4th runner for us. No one on this team gave up and I am very proud of our results."