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American Earns Two All-Region Honors in Cross Country
Seymour Ninth for Men, Akbar 14th for Women

Meet Stats | Nov. 10, 2001

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- American cross country closed out its season today running in the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional at Lehigh University. Two outstanding performances were turned in for the Eagles by sophomore Matt Seymour and junior Samia Akbar. Seymour turned in a ninth place performance, covering the 10,000 meter course in 30:52.80. Akbar finished 14th, running 21:25.07 for 6,000 meters.

The men finished in a tie for tenth in the team scoring with St. Francis. Villanova won the men's team competition. The women did not enter the team competition. Georgetown was the winner on the women's side.

Seymour ran a spectacular race, running with a pack of about twelve runners for most of the competition. As the race broke open towards the finish, Seymour fought hard to finish in the top ten. American's second finisher was junior Sean O'Brien who placed 46th (31:51.50). Freshman Sean Duffy placed 60th and was followed by teammate Frank Malpigli in 67th. Patrick MacAdie rounded out the team for American, placing 91st in the meet.

The Eagle women entered three runners in the race. Akbar ran well, getting a good start and moving up throughout the 6,000 meter course. Junior Jen Baclawski placed 30th in a time of 21:56.33. Sophomore Jessica Daniel also competed finishing in 82nd in 23:02.89.

While this was thought to be the last race for the Eagles, the season may not be over for Seymour and Akbar. The NCAA awards at-large bids to two individuals to go to the NCAA Championships. The at-large bids will be announced on Monday afternoon. Seymour has an excellent chance of receiving a bid based on his finish at the Regional meet. Akbar needs Bucknell to receive an at-large bid for the team and then she has an opportunity to receive one of the bids. The NCAA Championship will be run on November 19th at Furman, S.C.