With all five scoring runners in the top 15, Oakland’s men’s cross country team claimed the Mid-Continent Conference championship Oct. 29. The Golden Grizzlies were led by senior Adam Frezza (Oxford, Mich.), who ran away with the individual title in a time of 24:51.3 in the 8k race. Frezza was awarded the Runner of the Year honor and head coach Paul Rice was named the men’s cross country Coach of the Year after leading the Golden Grizzlies to the team title.

Frezza edged out James Wanjiku of Oral Roberts by just over one second to claim the individual conference crown and helped Oakland accumulate a total of 38 team points. The Golden Grizzlies finished four points ahead of Southern Utah, 42, and 35 points in front of Oral Roberts, 73.

Senior Paul Kulisek (Wonder Lake, Ill.) earned third place overall, running the course in 25:16.2. Sophomore Jason Young (Shelby Township, Mich.) was the third Oakland runner in the top 10, finishing in 25:36.0 to earn eighth place overall.

Just over five seconds out of the top 10, freshman Andrew Lawrick (Baroda, Mich.) finished in 11th place, breaking the tape in 25:47.7. With a time of 26:06.7, freshman Kenny Wassus (Monroe, Mich.) came in 15th place.

Senior John Cook (St. Clair, Mich.) and junior Dave Elliott (Algonac, Mich.) also turned in strong performances, finishing in 19th (26:31.9) and 20th (26:37.1), respectively.

Just outside the top 20, junior Chris Fecek (Rochester Hills, Mich.) finished in 22nd with 26:40.8. Junior Tim Copacia (Shelby Township, Mich.) earned 32nd in a field of 65 competitors with a time of 27:28.4.

Frezza is the second Golden Grizzly to earn Mid-Con Runner of the Year honors, following Kristie Keiffer, who did it in 2000 for the women’s squad. With a 24:33.5 at the Pre-Nationals Meet on Oct. 15, Frezza also registered the second fastest 8k time in the Mid-Con and is one of only three league runners with sub-25 minute time this season.

This is the third time in his nine seasons as head coach that Rice has earned Coach of the Year recognition, earning the honor on the men’s side in 2001 and 2002.

Both the men’s and women’s cross country squads will be at the NCAA Great Lake Regional in Bloomington, Ind., on Saturday, Nov. 12.

For more information on OU’s cross country teams, visit the OU Athletics Web site.