Oct. 6, 2012

WESTFIELD, Mass. - Sunday the Minutemen will compete in the New England Championships at 2:15 p.m. against the top competition in New England. Last week's meet in Oregon provided a taste of what it's like to race in the spotlight for this young UMass team. The upperclassmen have led the way for the Minutemen with Patrick McGowan, Antony Taylor and John O'Shea at the top of the results each week.

Over the past three meets the Minutemen have had three different runners fighting to finish first. In week one O'Shea finished first in the absence of Antony Taylor and Pat McGowan. Since the return of the two juniors, both Taylor and McGowan have finished first with McGowan finishing first most recently.

Coach O'Brien will bring nine freshmen to the New England Championships in hope of giving them the experience the need to compete in a big race. This will be a key moment this season for the newcomers to prove themselves at an elite level.