Willard Earns CACC Rookie of the Week Honors

Philadelphia (September 25, 2006) - University of the Sciences cross country runner Matt Willard (Cardinal O’Hara High School/Broomall, PA) was named the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Men’s Cross Country Co-Rookie of the Week for the week ending September 24, 2006.

In his first collegiate race at Belmont Plateau, Willard took fourth place overall at Saturday’s Philadelphia Metro Championship leading the Devils to a ninth place finish amongst the 15 complete teams.

Willard, a freshman pharmacy major, completed the 8,000 meter course in 27:56.35, just 19 seconds behind overall winner and CACC Runner of the Week, Walter Tum of Bloomfield College. Willard also broke the school course record for Belmont Plateau, shattering the mark of 28:37 set last season by teammate Nick Willey. Willey also eclipsed his old mark, finishing in sixth place overall with a time of 28:01.85

The former Cardinal O’Hara athlete is in his first season of competition for the Devils. During his career at Cardinal O’Hara High School, Willard was named to the First Team All Philadelphia Catholic League and was a Second Team All-Delaware County selection.

Next up for the Devils will be the Belmont Classic, hosted by Cabrini College at Belmont Plateau on Saturday, September 30, 2006.

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