LeDuc rallies to capture a NCAA Div. III regional championship

Canton’s Mike LeDuc, shown earlier this season, won a NCAA regional cross country title Saturday.

GORHAM, Maine – Canton’s Michael LeDuc, a senior at Connecticut College, captured a NCAA Division III cross country regional championship Saturday here at the University of Southern Maine. 

With 150 meters remaining in the 8 kilometer (4.97 mile) championship race, LeDuc was able to pass Colin Cotton of Williams College to earn the victory in 24:21. LeDuc becomes the first Connecticut College athlete to win a Division III regional championship in cross country. 

It also qualifies LeDuc for next week’s NCAA Division III national championship race in Hanover, Indiana, next Saturday, Nov. 23. It’s a course where LeDuc previously won the Pre-National Invitational in October in 25:22.

“Mike’s trained all year to put himself in the position to run well in the last few races of the year and now he has one race to go,” said Jim Butler, Connecticut College’s head coach. “He’s in great and mental physical shape to compete. We’re hoping for a great result out in Hanover.” 

LeDuc believes that the confidence that Butler and assistant coach Jeff Morin have instilled in him has been one of the underlying factors in his success this fall. LeDuc won the New England Small School Athletic Conference (NESAC) title two weeks ago. 

“Confidence plays a large role in my performance out there,” LeDuc said Saturday. “The difference this season has been an extra level of confidence that I possess. The NCAA championship is the one I’ve been envisioning since the summer. I can’t wait and I certainly hope to keep my winning streak alive.” 

Connecticut College finished 12th out of 50 teams in the regional event with a score of 183 points. Williams College placed two of its runners in the top three to win the regional with a score of 57 points. Middlebury College scored 65 points en route to its second place showing. 

LeDuc is a five-time NCAA Division III All-American performer with the Camels. He has earned All-American status in the 3,000 steeplechase three times including winning the NCAA Division III title last spring. He finished third at the NCAA Division III indoor track championship meet in the 5,000 meters in February 2013 and was 13th at the NCAA Division III cross country championship meet a year ago, the highest-ever finish for a Camel athlete at the NCAA meet.