Bronx, N.Y. -- The East Carolina University men and women's cross country teams concluded their 2003 season with fifth and fourth place finishes respectively at the IC4A/ECAC Cross Country Championships at Van Cortlandt Park today.

The men were lead by junior Kyle MacKenzie who finished fourth overall with a time of 25:46, a new school record in the five mile run. MacKenzie and teammate Michael Stoop, who finished 13th overall, were both named to the All-IC4A team. Senior Ron Delzer placed 48th overall with a time of 27:26, cutting over a minute off of his previous best time. The men finished fifth out of 12 teams with an overall score of 117.

"The men's team ran very well here today at the most prestigious park in the world, Van Cortlandt Park,"  said ECU cross country coach Len Klepack. "We are very proud of the way the guys ended the season here today."

On the woman's side, the Pirates placed three finishers in the top 10 lead by sophomore Caitlin Littlefield with a time of 19:02. Senior Johanna Allen (19:11) and sophomore Jessica Collins (19:13) placed ninth and 10th respectively giving ECU three All-ECAC performers at the meet. The women placed fourth with a score of 124.

"All of these girls were coming back from the flu, so it was quite a turnaround returning after regionals and finishing fourth here today," Klepack said.