MIT Out-Races No. 14 Williams to Win Plansky Invitational

Oct. 13, 2007

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - Amid much cooler temperatures and on a shortened course, MIT men's cross country gave notice to the rest of New England after downing the region's top-ranked team, Williams College, on its home course at the Plansky Invitational. Tufts finished a distant third in the eight-team field.

No. 14 Williams produced Saturday's individual winner as Edgar Kosgey broke the tape on the 6000-meter course with a time of 19:10. Tech junior Jake Ruzevick finished just off Kosgey's pace during the final sprint toward the chute, crossing the line in 19:13. Although Williams enjoyed an advantage by owning a familiarity with a course that featured numerous hills and sharp turns, MIT's top group remained close throughout the race.

With a fast 400-meter sprint serving as the finish, Yermie Cohen blasted ahead and held on for third place in a time of 19:18. The Engineers secured fourth place as well after Joseph Roy-Mayhew out-kicked the top two runners from Tufts to close in 19:20.

Tufts finished 40 points behind Williams for second place, but the Jumbos strength up top displaced some of the Williams talent to help MIT ensure a seven-point win. Trevor Rundell (19:34), Gihan Amarasiriwardena (19:34), Chris Bruce (19:35) and Paul Welle (19:36) capped the scoring for the Cardinal and Gray.

RPI finished fourth on the Mt. Greylock course with Assumption and NEWMAC-rival Babson rounding out the top six. Of the first 29 finishers in the meet, 13 were from MIT and 12 were from Williams.