For Immediate Release: October 6, 2009
Contact: David O'Brian (dobrian@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6478

van Ingen named America East Men's Cross Country Men's Athlete of the Week

America East Conference Release
USTFCCA Rankings

VESTAL, N.Y.-- Junior Erik van Ingen has been named the America East Men's Cross Country Athlete of the Week. It marks the second time in his career that he has earned the conference's weekly accolade.

van Ingen placed 17th overall at the prestigious Lehigh/Paul Short Run this past Friday afternoon. In a field of 386 runners, van Ingen covered the 8,000-meter course in a time of 24:03. In the process, he recorded the highest finish ever by a Binghamton runner at the event. Last season, van Ingen placed a then program-best 42nd (out of 298 runners).

After just two meets, the 2009 season has already been a memorable one for the Binghamton men's cross country team. The Bearcats placed 11th out of 42 teams at the Paul Short Run and are currently ranked ninth in the USTFCCA Northeast Region Top 15 Poll. It marks the first time in its history that Binghamton has cracked the top 10.

van Ingen is the second Binghamton men's cross country runner to earn Athlete of the Week honors this season from the America East. Graduate student Chris Gaube was the pick on Sept. 15, after winning the season-opening Binghamton Invitational.

van Ingen also was the Athlete of the Week on Sept. 23, 2008, after winning the University of Buffalo Stampede.

Binghamton is back in action at the Penn State National Open on Oct. 16.