Marcus: What a run for Stony Brook twins

This sister act has been a long-running story. Holly van Dalen was born 14 minutes earlier than her identical twin, Lucy, and it seems the twins have been chasing each other since.

Lucy has consistently beaten her sister in cross country this season, but both Stony Brook University seniors could be headed for top 10 finishes in the NCAA nationals Monday at Indiana State University.

The van Dalen twins live in New Zealand but came to the United States for their college careers. "There were other internationals on the team at Stony Brook, and that appealed to us,'' Lucy said. "Other people would be experiencing being away from home, too. It was a great choice to come to Stony Brook.''

Lucy already was an outdoor star in the 1500 meters during the spring but has excelled this fall in cross country, winning all four of her meets. "In previous years, Holly has been the one who has beaten me,'' Lucy said. "We are competitive. We are happy for each other.''

In 2009, Holly won the Codfish Bowl Invitational over Lucy and Holly finished second to Lucy's third in the America East championships. Holly also bested Lucy in the Northeast regional, finishing 14th to Lucy's 15th.

The women's parents have no problem figuring out whom to root for. "Mom and Dad are very supportive of both of us,'' Holly said.

The sisters finished 1-2 in the recent NCAA regionals, with Lucy's time of 19:38.4 edging Holly's 19:42. "That was really exciting for us,'' Lucy said. "We really work well together. We definitely help each other out. I'm really excited about nationals, hoping to do my best on the day with the top girls in the country. There's a lot of talented girls out there. It will be exciting.''

Holly has no problem with her sister dominating this season and is rooting for her to win the nationals, saying, "I'd be so proud of her. It would be very exciting.''

Said Lucy, "I'd probably cry.''

Most likely, her sister would, too.

Lucy was named the Northeast region women's athlete of the year by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Stony Brook's Andy Ronan was named coach of the year.

Hofstra lacrosse player runs for a cause

Hofstra sophomore lacrosse player Jordan Fried ran the New York City Marathon as part of "Fred's team,'' a group dedicated to raising funds for cancer in memory of marathon co-founder Fred Lebow. The group has raised more than $38 million since 1995.

Seventeen years ago, Fried was diagnosed with leukemia as a 3-year-old and underwent chemotherapy and other treatment at Memorial Sloan-Kettering. Two years later, he was cancer-free.

"For me, I felt great and was very happy with my 3:17 time,'' Fried said in a statement released by Hofstra. "More importantly, to run past Sloan- Kettering Hospital, where I spent a lot of time as a young child, was a huge accomplishment. I remember watching the marathon as a patient at Sloan-Kettering. So now, to return to First Avenue as a runner was very emotional. My health issues as a young child have motivated me my whole life to be the best runner, best lacrosse player and best student I can be. To have the support and encouragement of my family, coach [Seth] Tierney and all my coaches and all my friends and teammates at Hofstra meant the world to me.''

Dowling, USMMA men's soccer rolls forward

Dowling, ranked 10th in Division II, meets top-ranked Franklin Pierce (17-1-2) Saturday night in the NCAA quarterfinals in New Hampshire. Dowling advanced by defeating Southern Connecticut in a penalty-kick shootout last weekend. Dowling is 11-1-6, which includes a victory over Franklin Pierce. The winner heads to the national semifinals in Louisville.

In Division III, USMMA (12-2-5) is in the Sweet 16 and will play host Muhlenberg (13-2-6) Saturday afternoon. The winner advances to the Elite Eight against the Messiah College-Medaille winner.

USMMA advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2002. It made the round by defeating Brockport, 3-2, last weekend. With his team trailing 2-1 and facing elimination, Kurt Olsen tied the game at 2 in the 89th minute and scored the winner in the first overtime period. "We kept our poise and gave a great effort to get the tying and winning goals,'' USMMA coach Michael Smolens said after the game. "The guys are certainly excited about reaching the Sweet 16 and feel good about the level of soccer we played . . . Every game is a challenge in the NCAA Tournament, and we certainly feel good about our chances going forward . . . This was the most exciting victory I've experienced in my 21 years here."

C.W. Post football dominates PSAC star team

Eight members of the C.W. Post football team were named to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference all-conference team. Offensive linemen Kevin Martin and John Siopa and wide receiver Darnel Williams made first team on offense. Xavier Brown (Bay Shore), defensive back Juma McKenley and defensive lineman Lou Scala were named first team on defense.

Quarterback Erik Anderwkavich and inside linebacker Billy O'Connor made the second team. Post was 7-4 and 5-2 in the PSAC.

Claxton enters Hofstra Hall of Fame

Speedy Claxton leads the list of former athletes to be inducted into the Hofstra Hall of Fame in 2011. Claxton led Hofstra to the NCAA Tournament in the 1999-2000 season and went on to a nine-year career in the NBA. Other inductees include Giovanni Carmazzi (football), Mike D'Amato (lacrosse, football), Rudy Fiorvanti (football, wrestling), Kate Goerdon Clifford (women's basketball), John Irving (basketball), Christine Moore Newins (volleyball), Andrew Rumpelt (baseball), Leslie Schlegel-Danowski (softball, basketball) and Janet Walsh Rogler (lacrosse, field hockey).

Adelphi captures soccer title

Adelphi defeated Houston Baptist, 2-1, to successfully defend its title in the Atlantic Soccer Conference championship game. Domenico Parrelli and Mauricio Mora scored for Adelphi. Adelphi (11-6-2) earned the right to host the 2011 ASC tournament.