New Britain, CT- The Saint Francis University Red Flash will head to Stanley Quarter Park in New Britain, Connecticut  to compete in the Northeast Conference Championships on Saturday November 2^nd starting at 11:00 a.m. for the men and 12:00 p.m. for the women.

Quote from Head Coach Doug Hoover- "For both the men and women, the league has more parity than in previous years, with several teams in contention on both sides.  So, it is going to be a great competition. We're excited to welcome Merrimack to their first NEC Championship meet, as well as welcome back the men of LIU.  Those teams will only add to the competitiveness of the meet. Our students are rounding into form and we look forward to seeing what we can do in the next three weeks, with the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Region Championships coming up two weeks after NEC's, and the ECAC/IC4A Championships a week after that."

Men's Rundown- The men have put together a pretty successful season this year posting two 1^st place finishes, PR's that landed runners on the all-time PR list, an athlete of the week, and a few nods for prime performers. They look to carry over these accomplishments into this upcoming weekend at the NEC championships where they will be put to the test, competing against some strong teams like defending NEC champions Mount St. Mary's.

Quote from Senior Griffin Molino (South Williamsport, Pa./South Williamsport): "I think for me it has been fun to make it to this point of the season as we really always circle the NEC Championships as the meet we want to do the best at. Now that it is finally here it is all about coming together as a team and performing the best we possibly can and I think for the guys if we do that we will come out with the result we all want. Obviously, that's easier said than done, but all season we have been improving and working to get better as a team and we are peaking at the right time. Overall I think this team has a lot of potential but more importantly we have built a good team atmosphere that will help us to lean on each other in the tough moments at such an important meet like the NEC Championships so no matter who has a bad day, someone will be there to pick them up and pick up the slack."

Runner's to keep an eye on this weekend include:

The lone senior on the team, Griffin Molino (South Williamsport, Pa./South Williamsport), was a strong presence on the course this season with top SFU finishes in just about every race he competed in, looks to give it a go one last time this weekend to help put his team on top. Molino was given a few prime performer nods as well as being named to last year's All-NEC team.

Another runner making an impact this season was sophomore Brenden Miller (Millersburg, Pa./Upper Dauphin). He was named athlete of the week September 25th, had top place finishes in multiple meets to put SFU on top, and last year as well was a member of the All-NEC team.

Junior Colin Kelly (Scranton, Pa./West Scranton) as well stepped up this season to help SFU come out on top. He placed as the top SFU runner at the Paul Short Invitational along with many other top place finishes and had a prime performer nod. He is 6^th on the SFU all-time PR list after a superb performance at the Gettysburg Invitational.

Fellow junior Ian Gabig (Camp Hill, Pa./Camp Hill) as well had top place finishes in many meets to be recognized as one of SFU's top runners this season. He put himself as number seven on the all-time PR list this season after his top performance at Gettysburg.

Other runner's competing this weekend include; junior Jonathan Allard (Keene, N.H./Keene), freshman Ethan Knoebel (Northumberland, Pa. /Southern Columbia Area), freshman Zachary Kohler (Huntingdon, Pa./Tyrone Area), junior Ian Lauver (Manheim, Pa./Manheim Central), junior Jacob Schulte (Johnstown, Pa./Bishop McCort), and junior Colton Sunderland (Manheim, Pa./Manheim Central).
 
Women's Rundown- The women are up next, looking to come out on top against some pretty tough competition like defending champs Central Connecticut State. This season, the women put together some notable performances and proved they should not be counted out for this upcoming weekend. With a few prime performer nods, a rookie of the week, many PR's, new all-time records and 1^st and 2^nd place finishes, this group of women is looking forward to show what they are made of.

Quote from Senior Catie Jaskowak (Grove City, Pa./Grove City Area): "This weekend is going to be a fight; there is no clear winner when looking at these teams. However, there are definitely 5 teams that are in the running and will be keeping the points close. It is all going to come down to that day and whose team has the best race. Every single person on each team has to run the race of their lives. We all have to come together that day and take care of business. It doesn't matter what times other girls have run or the depth they have; it all comes down to that day, and who is going to push through the pain, fight the hardest, and have the most grit.  The hard work, teamwork, and passion all come together on Championship day and we see who wants it most."

Runners to keep an eye on this weekend:

Senior Laura Roth (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks West) definitely blossomed this year, placing many top SFU finishes in meets throughout this season. She put herself on the SFU all-time PR list at number 8 from her performance at the Paul Short Invitational as well as a first-place finish in the first meet of the year.

Junior Madison Wright (Eaton, Ohio/Twin Valley South) was a top runner this season as well with her performance in Bethlehem, PA that placed her as the 10^th SFU all-time runner. She as well earned prime performer nods this season as well as being named to the All-NEC team last year.

Another runner to watch this Saturday is freshman Mackenzie Walker (Indiana, Pa./Marion Center). This will be her first time competing at the NEC conference championships. This race should be no problem for her as she has been a top performer for SFU all season, being named Rookie of the Week along with many top placed achievements.

Sophomore Shannon Cody (Exton, Pa./Bishop Shanahan) as well is competing this weekend. Cody is not one to overlook, and has been a top performer for SFU this season with many top place performances to help put Saint Francis on top.

 Others racing this season include; freshman Adiya Golden (Wilkes Barre, Pa./Scranton Prep), freshman Monica Gregg (Henrietta, NY./Rush-Henrietta), junior Mandy McElheny (Homer City, Pa./Homer-Center), junior Nicole Neborg (Ambler, Pa./Hatboro Horsham), and junior Taya Whitfield (Marion Center, Pa./Marion Center).
 
The men kick off the NEC championships at 11:00 a.m. followed by the women at 12:00 p.m. Saturday November 2^nd at Stanley Quarter Park in New Britain, CT. Recap of this event will follow.