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News Release

Force 3 UMBC Athlete of the Week: Anthony Kelhower

10/18/2006


Force 3 UMBC Athlete of the Week: Anthony Kelhower

 

Name: Anthony Kelhower      

Sport/Position: Cross Country

Hometown/High School: Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape

Last Week: 25:35.8 8K; 11th place at William and Mary Tribe Open

Retrievers Last Week: 3rd place at William and Mary Tribe Open

 

Anthony Kelhower ran the fastest time of the year in an 8K for the Retrievers this past weekend in Williamsburg, Va. at the William and Mary Tribe Open and led the men’s team to a third- place finish behind host William and Mary and the University of Virginia.  The time of 25:35.8 also ranks as Kelhower’s personal career best, earning him the title of Force 3 UMBC Athlete of the Week.

 

After an injury-plagued athletic year last year, Kelhower dedicated himself fully to his sport this summer, coming into the season in the best shape he has ever been in.  The hard work paid off as Kelhower has been the top finisher for the Retrievers three times in four competitions. 

 

Kelhower has led the Retrievers across the line in the Mount St. Mary’s 5K Duals, finishing 4th, at the Navy Salty Sea Dog Invitational, finishing 16th, and at the William and Mary Tribe Open, finishing 11th.

 

Head coach Murray Davis says he was not completely satisfied with the race on Saturday, but is more confident going into conference this year.  “Before this week, as a group we were underachieving,” he said.  “Saturday was a good race for us as a team and for a few individuals.  Kelhower ran well and it’s a lot easier to run 25:00 at conference from 25:23, than from 26:00 in the past few weeks.  There was a lot at stake for us at this meet, with the results deciding the nine who compete at conference.  With a proper taper they’ll be able to perform at conference.”

 

The Retrievers are in good form heading into the 2006 America East Cross Country Championships on Saturday, Oct. 28.  They look to defend their title against tough competition from the University of New Hampshire and University of Maine, picked to finish first and second in the America East Pre-Season Coaches Poll.

“I’m really excited to go to conferences with this team,” said Kelhower, “because the training is really starting to affect everyone and everyone has been improving steadily this season. Our confidence is back where it needs to after this weekend and our top nine are stronger than past years, with each of us improving since our last race.”

“It’s up to the guys to show up and compete,” said Davis.  “If anybody wants to take the championship away from them, they’re going to have to earn it.”

The Retrievers make the trek to the University of Maine in two weeks, when they will compete at the conference championship meet on Saturday, Oct. 28.