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About The Team

In 2011, the men’s cross country team continued to excel under eighth-year head coach Amy Lane.

Coach Lane, whose training philosophy combines traditional runs with innovative cross-training techniques, is focused on recruiting talented runners. 2011 proved no exception as the Blazers continued to see that talent come to fruition on the course.

During the season-ending New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Championship meet, Coach Lane was named the NECC Coach of the Year for both the men’s and women’s teams.

Jesse Zina (Ludlow, Mass.) has been one of the most productive runners for the Blazers and in just two seasons, he has placed himself on two of the program’s top 10 lists. Zina’s time of 33:05 clocked in 2011 on Elms’ home course at Chicopee Memorial State Park is the second fastest by an Elms runner. His time of 34:53 which he registered on the course in 2010, is tied for fifth best by an Elms runner.

Zina is also listed twice on the Blazers’ top 10 list for fastest time on any 8-kilometer course. Zina powered to a time of 31:26 during the Eagle Invitational hosted by Daniel Webster College in 2011 to secure the fourth spot on the list, while his time of 31:38 at the 2010 NECC Championship is fifth best. 

Zina was Elms’ top finisher in Elms’ first three meets during the 2011 campaign while Benjamin Kronlund (Longmeadow, Mass.) was the squad’s top runner in the final three events. Kronlund surged to a personal season-best time of 35:24 during the season finale at the NECC Championship and registered three consecutive finishes under 37 minutes during the final three meets of the season.

The cross country schedule includes meets against many of the best Division III teams in New England and New York. The Blazers conclude each season with three championships — the NECC Championship, the ECAC Division III Championship, and the NCAA Division III New England Qualifier.

The Blazers will continue to host the Blazers Invitational at Chicopee Memorial State Park. This site provides soft surfaced trails for optimized training, and also serves as the home practice and competition site for the two teams throughout the season.