Lehigh Eyes Bounce Back in NCAA Regionals Friday

Friday, November 12

Bethlehem, Pa.

1 p.m.

Lehigh University

NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional

Photo by: Don Paul

Lehigh Eyes Bounce Back in NCAA Regionals Friday

11/11/2021 3:24:00 PM | Men's Cross Country

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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh men's cross country team didn't reach its goals at the Patriot League Championship on Oct. 31, but has a chance for redemption as the Mountain Hawks remain home to host the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regionals on Friday. The men's 10K race is set for 1 p.m. on the Goodman Campus Cross Country Course.

The Mountain Hawks finished fifth at the Patriot League Championship, and were led by graduate students Seth Slavin and Brad DeMassa, who placed 20th and 23rd, respectively.

"I think we have a little bit of vengeance on our minds," said Lehigh head coach Todd Etters. "We didn't represent ourselves the way we wanted to at the league championship and this is our opportunity to prove to ourselves that we are the team that we think we are, and that we're capable of performing at very high levels."

Lehigh is used to running on its home course, having already done so three times this season – for the Lehigh Invitational, Lehigh Paul Short Run and Patriot League Championship. One significant difference on Friday will be the 10K course.

"We only really get to race the 10K course every other year [for regionals]," said Etters. "That's a neat component to Friday. We absolutely love our course. We think it's the best course in the country. Sometimes, you worry, though, that you can get a little bit run down by racing on the same course over and over again. Sometimes, it can get in your head a little bit, like I struggled here last time on this part of the course. That's something we have to overcome."

There will be obstacles; there always are. But the Mountain Hawks are confident, having proven they're physically and mentally capable of great things this season. They currently rank 11th in the USTFCCCA regional rankings for a reason. Friday will bring a bit of a different challenge, but one they are prepared for.

"Since day one of our training plan, we've had the 10K as a part of it. Everyone on our team is training to be able to handle longer race," said Etters. "We certainly don't want to be doing it all throughout the season, but we prepare to be able to do it at the end. There are challenges that go with running that much further, but the really good runners approach it the same way they do every race."

As Etters shared, patience is a virtue with the 10K.

"Typically, this race doesn't break open until the later stages," he said. "You don't want to be the team that's pressing too much early when you don't really need to be. If we can keep our guys patient, I think we'll be fine."

Another key for the Mountain Hawks is maintaining their packs.
"We've had a different mix of guys who've been our second, third, fourth, even our first finishers," said Etters. "The top seven guys have all been in different spots throughout the year. We just want them to take their best race of the year and replicate that on Friday. If everyone can show up and run their best race, that's what we've been trying to achieve all year."

Seven Mountain Hawks are ready to toe the starting line on Friday and leave it all on the course.

"Top 25 is considered All-Region, so we need to have guys who are willing to put themselves in that position and hang on," said Etters. "I think we have guys who are more than capable of being there."