The CCNY men's cross country team became the third team in CUNYAC Conference history to complete a three-peat at the men's cross country championships, capturing their fourth CUNYAC crown by a 42-point margin over the field.
"He knew the pressure was on him to come out and perform," CCNY Head Coach Demetrius Murray commented about Padilla's performance. "To take the challenge, go out there and do what he needed to do, he ran really well. That's a testament to the program itself."
The Beavers were led by junior Merlin Padilla Jr., who claimed the individual title, completing the 8k course in 28:11.6. Padilla Jr. was named the meet's Most Valuable Performer with his first-place individual finish.
"We are just excited to keep winning championships," Padilla stated. "The fifth man was huge. I need to do my job, but I can't celebrate a championship, if my fifth man doesn't come through."
Seniors Joseph Espinoza and Albert Leonardo finished third (28:46.8) and fourth (29:00.7), respectively, while sophomore Muhammed Qadri rounded out CCNY's top-10 finishers, crossing the line in seventh place in 29:53.9.
Freshmen Octavio Diaz ran a time of 32:09.5, to place 19th overall. Mohammed Alumhaymin followed behind running 32:09.5 in 15th place.
"It feels great (to win another championship). The kids really earned it. They worked hard," said Murray. "You put in the work and it leads to good results."
Team Results
1. CCNY (34)
2. Hunter (76)
3. Baruch (82)
4. Lehman (83)
5. Staten Island (113)
6. John Jay (125)
7. Brooklyn (171)
8. York (186)
The Beavers return to action on Sunday, Nov. 4, when the squad travels to Milton, NY for the 2018 ECAC Championships.
Sebastian Bush
CCNY Beavers