Runners Head to National Championships in Lake Placid

11/8/2012

The ESF Mighty Oaks head back to Lake Placid this week to run in the U.S. Collegiate Athletic Association Cross-Country National Championships.

The men hope to defend the national title they won last year while the women's goal is to improve upon last year's second-place finish and grab the gold.

There are 29 men's teams competing and 29 women's teams, with a total of 353 runners. The forecast calls for sunny skies and temperature in the 40s.

"My expectations for the men and women are the same: to run to their maximum ability and then go beyond that," said Coach John View. "The moment in front of them is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Last year, four ESF runners, two men and two women, were awarded All-American honors.

The men's team was led by Brian Busby, now a sophomore, who placed second after being overtaken by a rival runner in the last seconds. Busby has been running well again this year.

His sophomore teammate, Timmy Callahan, has also had a successful season. Callahan had a memorable race last year, running most of the race with only one shoe but still finishing in fourth place.

View knows the men face a tough challenge.

"Since they are the defending national champions, people will be looking to beat them," he said.

"The women have been working very hard. They have finished second two years in a row, and want to win the title this year," View said.

Two ESF women, Cambria Zeimer and Danielle Kaveney, finished in the top five last year.

View said he likes to motivate his team with famous cross-country runner Steve Prefontaine's motto: "To give anything less than the best is to sacrifice the gift."

The team is scheduled to leave at 7:15 a.m. Thursday. The women's 6K Championship Race begins at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov 9. The men's 8K Championship Race begins at noon the same day.

— By Audrey Hart SU '15