Robert Parker To Captain RPI Men's Cross Country Team

2015 Sep 2

Robert Parker of Johnston will serve as captain of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's cross country team, fifth-year head coach John Lynch has announced.

Parker, who hails from Johnston, R.I., has run 20 career meets in his first three years. He ran seven races as a freshman, finishing as high as 14th in the Liberty League Championship Meet with a personal 8K collegiate record of 26:19.0. He then had five top 10 finishes in the eight meets he competed as a sophomore. That year he won the Oneonta Airfield Invitational (26:03.1), finished fourth in the New York State Championship (26:39.8) and was ninth in the Liberty League Meet (25:49.0). Parker also set a personal best with a time of 25:38.7 at the NCAA Atlantic Regional, finishing 23rd and earning All-Region. The Raphael Academy graduate was also All-Region - and All-Liberty League - last season when he was 29th (25:52.9) at the NCAA Regional. That was one of five meets in which he competed and his best finish was 10th in the Liberty League Championship (26.01.7) which earned him All-Liberty League Second Team. A multiple Liberty League All-Academic choice, Parker also participates in track & field, running the mile, 3000 meters and 5000 meters during the indoor season and the 800 meters, 1500 meters, 5000 meters and 3000 meter steeplechase in outdoor.