Harper running for regional crown

The Harper College men’s cross country team looks to earn a spot in this year’s NJCAA National Championship meet on Nov. 12 in Holyoke, Mass.

The Hawks are ranked No. 1 in the country with SUNY-Delhi and Mohawk Valley (N.Y.) going into today’s regional meet at Moraine Valley Community College.

“Thats kind of neat,” Harper coach Jim Macnider said of the rankings.

The Hawks’ biggest competition will come from Joliet Junior College. However, Macnider is not worried.

“We have beaten every junior college in the state,” he said.

The women’s race is at 11 a.m. while the men take the start line at 11:45. Macnider called the course flat and expects weather perfect for running good times.

“We are going to be running at the front (of the pack),” Macnider said. “It would be nice to be the region champions.”

Sophmore Pablo Ramirez (Conant) has been the Hawks’ top runner this season. Sophomores Cisco Soto (Lake Zurich), Steve Heer (Rolling Meadows), Ryan Wojdyla (Palatine), who finished sixth at nationals last year, and Tom Johnson are also making the trip.

If the Hawks are able to qualify, there will be two fresh faces making the trip East in freshman Troy Cunningham (Conant) and Zach Gates (Palatine).

“Our goal is to win the whole thing,” Macnider said of the regional meet. “We are looking good at the right time. If we run our race at nationals we can win (nationals).”

Ÿ Even though the Hawks are not fielding a women’s team in 2011 they will be be represented by sophomore Laurel Rudolph (Lyons).

“She has improved,” Macnider said of Rudolph.

For Rudolph to advance on to the national meet she must finish in the top 10 to 15 overall in the women’s race.