MEDFORD - The Tufts University men's cross country team went into last Sunday uncertain about whether they would earn a berth into the 2022 NCAA Championship.
The Jumbos had finished fourth at the NCAA East Regional the day before and were hopeful to receive a bid when the at-large selections were announced on Sunday. They were on the proverbial bubble, which made the news that they did in fact receive a berth even sweeter.
"Getting to nationals is our goal every year so we are super excited to have the opportunity to race," said Tufts senior Oliver Printy.
Meet Details
2022 NCAA Division III Men's Cross Country Championship Race
Date: Saturday, November 19, 2022
Time: 12:00 pm
Location: Forest Akers East Golf Course / East Lansing, MI
Live Coverage:
VIDEO /
LIVE RESULTS
The NCAA Championship berth is the second in a row and 17th overall for the Jumbos. The 2022 Championship will be held on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan on Saturday, with the men's race beginning at 12:00 PM.
Joining Printy in Tufts' starting line-up will be fellow senior Evan Ensslin, junior Walter Wagude, sophomore Ivan Appleton, and first-years Amokrane Aouchiche, Luke Brennan, and Calvin Cummings. The alternates are senior Connor Giersch and sophomore Martin Horne.
"We have a great young team and I think we are ready to have a very strong race this weekend and to place well," Ensslin said. "It is awesome to have the team qualify again this year."
Last year Tufts placed 30th at Nationals in the program's first NCAA berth since 2018. They are looking to use what they learned that day this time around.
"It was a pretty unique experience (last year)," said Printy, who along with Wagude was on Tufts' 2021 NCAAÂ team. "The field was super competitive, and the race was the fastest it had ever been. A lot of us ran faster than we ever have, but we still weren't able to finish super high as a team. This year we know better what to expect and are ready to improve upon last year."
The competitors will also have to contend against the weather. Snow is in the forecast for Friday into early Saturday in East Lansing, and temperatures look to be in the low 20s for Saturday's 12:00 PM EST start time.
However, the Jumbos will draw added inspiration from a group of more than 40 teammates who will be making the 770-mile trip from Boston to East Lansing to support the team, carrying on a Tufts tradition.
"We are lucky enough to have so many incredible teammates that are planning to road trip 12+ hours each way to come watch us race," Ensslin said. "We are ready to do our best to give them a show."
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