ON THE RUN: Mansfield Cross-Country Runners Star in College

Last month, the University of Massachusetts men's cross-country team traveled to the University of Oregon to compete in Dellinger Invitational in a meet that attracted top teams for all over the country. Mansfield's Pat McGowan, a junior, was the top runner for the Minutemen in 32nd place in a time of 24:36. UMass, who finished eighth out of the 10 team field is hoping to qualify for the NCAA's this year. Mansfield's Khampasong Haleudeth is a freshman on the team.

Nova Southeastern senior Kevin Meagher, a former Mansfield High standout, was been named Sunshine State Conference Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week presented by VALIC, as announced by the conference office Monday, Sept. 10.

Meagher finished fifth of 71 runners at the USF Invitational. Meagher completed the 8K course with a time of 26:59.65 to lead the Sharks to a second-place showing at the nine-team event.

Last year, Mansfield's Anastasia Lutkevich was a first team NECC all-star for the Lesley College women's cross-country team. Now, she is back for her junior year with the team.

The University of Massachusetts-Lowell men's cross-country team has a Mansfield field to it. Matthew Hernon is a junior on the Skyhawks, while Matt Cioe is a sophomore and Zach Frazier is a freshman. For the track team, Kyle Kilduff is a junior sprinter and Patrick Greaney is a sophomore jumper.

Mansfield's Billy Looney, who ran at Bishop Feehan, is a sophomore on the Harvard University team.

Former Hornet Joe Cole is a sophomore runner for the Manhattan College Jaspers.

Former Mansfield High standouts Shayne Collins, a sophomore at UCLA, and Josh Lampron, a freshman at Villanova University, are on the distance squads for the track teams. In his red-shirt track season a year ago, Collins ran a 3:58.5 1500 meters, and a 14:25.10 5,000 meters. He was also named to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll.

(If you know of anyone other Mansfield athletes performing on the college level, drop an email to michaelh@patch.com.)