MEN

2007 was a great year for MIT Men's Cross Country until the NCAA New England Regional. Coasting through the regular season while regularly holding out a portion of the team and ending the season with a nice win over Williams College at their own Plansky Invitational and then the ninth consecutive NEWMAC Conference Championship brought high expectations to the post season. However, the team missed nationals by one spot, bringing the season to a disappointing end.

The 2008 team loses co-captains Chris Bruce and Joe Roy-Mayhew, but returns in the top seven include Jake Ruzevick (1), Yermie Cohen (3), Trevor Rundell (4), Gihan Amarasiriwardena (6) and Hemu Arumugam (7). In addition only one of the second seven will be lost to graduation. A strong freshman class, particularly on the track, should make the transition to the 8000 meters by the end of the season.

WOMEN

The 2007 looked much like the 2006 season with the difference being a step up in the level of success achieved at championships. The ladies were sixth at the All Division New England Championship, defeating the majority of the Division I teams in the 44 team field. They also won the NEWMAC Conference Championship going away. However, the post-season was not a pleasant one as the team faded to seventh, which was the best finish in team history but disappointing nevertheless. Elizabeth Finn qualified for the NCAA Division III Championship as an individual.

2008 brings back their entire top 11 runners from 2007. The expectations are quite high, including breaking into the top five in the New England region and defending the NEWMAC title. A quality group of freshmen runners will certainly add some much needed depth to the team.