The men’s and women’s cross-country teams clinched SoCon championships for Appalachian for the 2012 season.

This the first time in 10 years both teams have accomplished this feat in the same season.

On Friday, Nov. 9, the women’s team took 11th place at the Southeast Regional Championship while the men took 13th.

“It was a very humbling feeling,” head coach Mike Curcio said. “To have two groups of young people work so hard and diligently through the summer… then put it together on that one important day was humbling.”
The ASU men’s team has now won seven of the last eight SoCon titles.

After losing the title in 2011, the Mountaineers were glad get back to their old ways.

Mitch McLeod was named to the All-SoCon Freshman Team.

“It feels great to be able to come right onto a team and help them win,” McLeod said. “We had a great year, and I knew from the beginning I had to be a part of this special team.”

The ASU women won their first SoCon title since 2002, and their 10th overall.

The 321 points scored in the Southeast Regional Championship were first among SoCon teams.

Senior Amanda Hamilton led the Mountaineer ladies in six matches this season with a personal best time of 17:42.55 in the 5,000m.

“We work together really well and motivate each other every day in practice,” Hamilton said. “We have been working toward the goal of SoCon since May, so to see it all finally come together is truly gratifying.”

Senior runner Alex Taylor helped lead the Mountaineer men all season and ran a season best 24:42.1 in App’s title-clinching meet.

“Winning the title this year was different from previous years,” Taylor said. “As a senior leader, it was my last chance to win a big cross country meet with my teammates and coaches.”

Overall, the season was a success for both teams.

“I feel confident that the mix of talented newcomers with a strong core of upper-class people made for a well-balanced and experienced team,” Curcio said. “That helps win meets.”

Story: JESSE WARE, Intern Sports Reporter