TicketsNov. 18, 2010
By Jeff Gentil
GoBEARCATS.com
UC Cross Country history was made last weekend in Oakland, Michigan when Eric Finan stormed past the field to win the Great Lakes Regional. In doing so, the junior became the first Bearcat runner to win the event and is the first to qualify for the NCAA Championships since Chris Reis in 2002.
Entering the race, both Finan and cross country coach Bill Schnier had expectations for a high finish with the main goal to qualify for the NCAA meet. Consider that mission accomplished as Finan ran the best race of his career and will head to Terre Haute, Indiana on Monday to compete against the nation's best.
"I thought he could finish in the top-10," Schnier said. "I was hoping he would qualify for the national meet. (Winning) is icing on the cake. That's not an easy meet; there are so many good runners (at the regionals)."
Finan even surprised himself: "Honestly, it was rather surprising. I went into the race with some sinus problems flaring up the two days before the race, so I was a little nervous about how my body was going to respond with being a little under the weather. But coming down the final straight, the only thing running through my mind was just trying to hold anyone off if they came up next to me."
The confidence displayed not only in this race but all year is something Schnier says was hard for Finan his first two seasons.
"Eric expected to win the race," he said. "He took that attitude in. He had the opportunity and he took it; he decided to win. The first two years he doubted himself and whether he had the credentials. It's nice to say you expect to win, but if you have no credentials, how does that mesh (with other runners around the country)?"
Finan had the confidence to compete. But, what about winning the race?
"I wish I could say that I had full confidence later in the race that I was going to win," he said. "The thought really didn't cross my mind until about 200 meters left when I was in the lead and kicking home. Even at that point, I was constantly checking my peripherals to see if anyone was going to come up on me. It's funny because with about 1.5 kilometers to go, coach yelled at me 'You can win!", but I sort of dismissed it in my mind and just tried to focus on being in the top-10. It looks like coach knew me better on that day than I did."
Ever the humble person, Finan has earned the support of his teammates. It would have been very easy for him to get swept away in his individual success, but that just isn't the type of thing that defines Finan.
"He's the kind of person everyone is happy for," Schnier said. "He's very humble; he does not seek recognition. He gives so much of himself and has earned the respect of his teammates."
"The support of the coaches, athletes, alumni, and parents has been overwhelming," Finan said. "After the race, I was picked up by a teammate and carried over to the parents behind the finish line and everyone was cheering. It was amplified by an outstanding team performance as well. We were ranked 12th in the region and placed ninth, beating all other Ohio teams with the exception of Ohio State."
The celebrating was not finished then. To earn extra money for the program, all members of the men's and women's cross country teams participated in "Shine the Shoe" following the men's basketball game Monday night. Simply put, they gave up their personal time to clean the bleachers. What came next caught Finan by complete surprise.
"Following the cleanup, the whole team made a tunnel and I was carried on someone's shoulders through it," he said. "It was a nice gesture and I deeply appreciate my teammates' support. I'm not much for being the center of attention, so it was a little different for me. I didn't know it was going to happen until five minutes or so beforehand when someone took me aside so they could form the tunnel."
In addition to the informal celebrations, Finan has earned some impressive awards. For his seventh place finish at the BIG EAST Championships, he earned all-conference honors. And for his victory at the regional, he was named the NCAA Great Lakes Region Athlete of the Year. There is, however, one more distinction Finan is seeking.
"People need to keep in mind, including myself, that the real race is the NCAA Championships," Finan said. "How I perform there is much more important than the Great Lakes Regional, since it was just a qualifying meet. The goal of the NCAA meet is to be in the top-40 as that will qualify me for All-American honors."
With that kind of attitude Finan is certain to succeed, something Schnier believes will occur.
"There are two types of runners at the National meet," he said. "Runners just glad to be there and runners with unfinished business. I think Eric has unfinished business and plans to do that."
"Yes I would definitely say I'm in the latter category, as I have to be if I want a top-40 spot," Finan said. "It's not going to come easy, so I need to be fully focused on producing my best performance on Monday."
Without a doubt, Eric Finan has put together an outstanding season, but the junior knows only hard work will allow even better results next season.
"Staying consistent and faithful to your training will always allow you to improve," he said. "Next year at this time, hopefully I'll be looking to get repeat All-American honors at the National meet."
For now, Finan has one more race and a way to thank all of his supporters.
"I definitely feel blessed," he said. "I have had amazing support over the years from my parents, Coach Schnier, and my teammates. If there's anything that I can do to repay them, it is to go to the National meet and run my best while representing UC."