KEENE, N.H.—Senior Tyler Jasud (Rumford, Maine) became just the third runner in the 13-year history of the New England Alliance men’s cross country championship to repeat as the individual champion, covering the 8-kilometer course at the Owl Athletic Complex in a time of 26 minutes, two seconds this afternoon to lead the University of Southern Maine to the team championship. The Huskies placed five runners in the top-10 of the individual standings to earn the program’s second title in the past three years.

The Little East Conference Championship is run concurrently with the New England Alliance Championship. Southern Maine also edged Keene State College in the conference race, outdistancing the Owls by just four points (31-27). The Huskies raised the Little East team trophy for the third time in the past four seasons. University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (82), Rhode Island College (112), Eastern Connecticut State University (120), and University of Massachusetts Boston (188) round out the conference contingent.

Jasud defeated 154 other harriers to capture the individual crown for second consecutive campaign and first since Keene State Dave Bridgewater repeated in 2003 and 2004. Sophomore Alex Gomes (Peabody, Mass.) was the second Huskies’ runner to cross the finish line, tripping the clock at 26 minutes, 32 seconds to edge teammate senior Justin Richardson (Turner, Maine) by just two seconds apart to finish fourth and fifth overall, respectively. Sophomore John Vallo (Beacon, N.Y.) and senior Nick Downing (Winthrop, Maine) completed the Southern Maine scoring in seventh and 10th overall.

Jeff Trethewey (Merrimack, N.H.) paced all Keene State runners with a second place finish, crossing the finish line at 26 minutes, 14 seconds to edge teammate Jared Samuel (Londonderry, N.H.) by just a second. Brandon Schillemat (Nelson, N.H.) and Eric MacKnight (Newton, Conn.) each finished inside the top-10 for the Owls.

Fans unable to make the trip to Keene, can watch the archive version of the New England Alliance Championship on LittleEast.tv. The Little East Conference office debuted the finish line camera to show the exciting conclusion to the alliance meet.

New England Alliance Championship Results                          Little East Cross Country Results

2009 Little East Men's Cross Country All-Conference Team

1. Tyler Jasud, University of Southern Maine
2. Jeff Trethewey, Keene State College
3. Jared Samuel, Keene State College
4. Alex Gomes, University of Southern Maine
5. Justin Richardson, University of Southern Maine
6. Brandon Schillemat, Keene State College
7. John Vallo, University of Southern Maine