North Allegheny alum Marc Migliozzi makes history on Akron cross country team

North Allegheny graduate Marc Migliozzi made history as a senior on the Akron men’s cross country team.

Migliozzi, 21, of Franklin Park became the school’s first cross country runner to qualify for the NCAA championship meet. He placed 103rd of 249 competitors in the Division I men’s 10K race Nov. 23 in Terre Haute, Ind., in 31 minutes, 59.7 seconds.

He advanced after posting a career-best time (30:46.4) and finishing 19th of 201 in the Great Lakes Regional.

Earlier, Migliozzi became the first Zips runner to earn the Mid-American Conference individual title.

He made all-conference first team and was an all-region honoree. He also was chosen Akron cross country’s men’s most valuable athlete.

Migliozzi, who made all-conference second team in 2017 and 2018, said it was incredible how his season ended.

“My goal from the beginning has always been to compete at the highest level in the NCAA, whether that be in cross country or track,” said Migliozzi, the 2015 WPIAL Class AAA runner-up.

Zips coach Lee LaBadie said he expected Migliozzi to be in contention for the individual conference championship and a spot in the NCAA meet.

“Based on how Marc raced, his times and places this season, he was putting himself in a good position to have a great finish to his season,” LaBadie said. “He raced the way he needed to — get out fast, hang with the leaders ’til the end (and) finish strong.

“He is a very good competitor and has a great feel for what’s going on in the race. His courage to compete with the leaders and see how good he could be is what made this season special for him.”

Migliozzi is looking forward to the indoor and outdoor track seasons.

He placed second in the 1,500 at the conference outdoor championship in May.

“I’m always looking to challenge myself and have new goals,” said Migliozzi, who is studying mechanical engineering and plans to attend graduate school. “I have had a few setbacks. To finally put everything together in my last year has been a gratifying experience.”