Cross Country Chases CCC Championship Saturday

CCC MEN'S PREVIEW | CCC WOMEN'S PREVIEW

BOSTON – Suffolk's cross country teams and their Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) venture to Springfield, Massachusetts Saturday, Oct. 30 to race for the 2021 CCC Championship at Western New England. The women's 6k head is set for a 12 p.m. gun with the men's 8k following an hour later.

SOCIAL SAYINGS
Ram Nation has a chance to keep up with all the latest news and notes on Suffolk Athletics, its student-athletes and teams by following the Rams on  Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Fans are encouraged to use the hashtag #RamNation a behind-the-scene look at Suffolk Athletics.

SUFFOLK ATHLETICS 2021-22 FAN POLICY
Suffolk University Athletics, following guidance from the University's health and safety protocols, Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC), Centers for Disease Control and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, plans to allow fans to attend home athletic contests during the 2021-22 academic and athletic year.

Fans, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, can attend games. They must be masked the entire time they are on campus, pursuant to institutional policy, and complete a health screening form at the security desk of each building upon arrival. This policy applies to home contests played on campus at the Ridgeway Building's Larry E. and Michael S. Smith Court, as well as the Emmons Horrigan O'Neil Memorial Rink and the Louis E. Porrazzo Memorial Skating Rink.

For outdoor outings, specifically at East Boston Memorial Park, fans are asked to respect COVID safety protocols. At this time, masks will not be mandated for fans no matter vaccinated status at outdoor venues.

MORE READING: Suffolk Athletics Announces Fan Policy for 2021-22

CCC CHAMPIONSHIPS
The CCC has crowned a cross country champion dating back to 1998 for the women and 2000 for the men with the exception of the 2020 season for both sides due to COVID-19.

Western New England will host the event for the first time. 

For the men, Gordon has hoisted the trophy eight times in the 20-year history, however the last three titles have been won by different program in Endicott (2017), Roger Williams (2018) and Wentworth (2019) comes in as the reigning champion. 

On the women's side, Salve Regina owns eight crown crowns. The Seahawks won their last in 2018, before the University of New England captured the 2019 championship, the Nor'easters' fifth overall. Gordon has also won the meet five times over the last 21 years. 

More Info: Meet History Men | Meet History Women 

LAST TIME OUT [ MEN ]
Against one of the most talent fields in the event's history, Suffolk men's cross country turned in a sixth-place performance at its own meet, the Suffolk Invite, Saturday afternoon at Franklin Park.  

MORE READING: Men's Cross Country Finishes Seventh at Suffolk Invite

LAST TIME OUT [ WOMEN ]
Suffolk women's cross country locked up sixth at the Suffolk Invite Saturday afternoon at Franklin Park. 

MORE READING: Women's Cross Country Takes Sixth at Suffolk Invite 

RAMS RUNDOWN [ MEN ]

• Suffolk's men's squad has had a standout season and have gone undefeated against its CCC counterparts thus far.
• Matyas Csiki-Fejer will be going for the individual win and potentially the course record of 25:15, however, the weather could play a factor. A wet day on the course could be treacherous, and may not lend itself to fast times.
• Tim Barry is back and healthy after an injury at the beginning of the month. According to head coach Will Feldman, he's put together some strong workouts and has his sights set on rookie of the year status and a top five finish overall. 

COACH'S QUOTE
"The key to our success on Saturday will be how well our 3-7 run," Feldman said. "Senior captain Nic Malm has done a great job developing those guys into a cohesive pack that works incredibly will together each race. Thomas Novy, Connor Hayward, Cole Bolduc and Selvin Backett will ultimately decide if we bring a conference title back to Boston this weekend." 

RAMS RUNDOWN [ WOMEN ]

• With it being a wet and muddy day, the door is wide open for Suffolk to sneak in on its first CCC Championship course, however late season injuries have plagued the Rams' roster.
• Gwen Koziara is going for the win and will be difficult to catch up with.
• Sophomore Sydney Fogg has been rounding into form over the last three weeks and is a dark horse to contend for the individual title as well.
• Senior Skylar Spanbauer will be called upon to step up. She thrives in these conditions and was an all-conference performance back in 2019. 

COACH'S QUOTE
"If things break the right way there's a path for second place finish for the team." 

RANK AND FILE
Suffolk men's cross country clung to its regional ranking for the sixth straight week as the Rams dipped down to 10th in the East Region in the latest United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Regional Coaches Poll, the national organization announced Oct. 19.

MORE READING: Men's Cross Country Regionally Ranked for Sixth Straight Week 

RAMS RECOGNITION [ MEN ]
Matyas Csiki-Fejer of the Suffolk men's cross country team garnered Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Runner of the Week after his efforts at the Suffolk Invite/Battle for Boston Commons.

MORE READING: Csiki-Fejer Collects CCC Runner of the Week

RAMS RECOGNITION [ WOMEN ]
After her effort at the Suffolk Invite/Battle for Boston Commons, Gwen Koziara of the Suffolk women's cross country team took home Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Rookie of the Week honors Oct. 18.

MORE READING: Koziara Named CCC Rookie of the Week 

SIGHTS & SOUNDS

WHAT'S AHEAD?
Suffolk has two weeks to prep for the 2021 NCAA Division III East Regionals, which the Rams will host at Franklin Park.