Despite the Homecoming celebration happening at the College, the men's and women's cross country teams traveled to the SUNY-Albany Meet. Although the festivities were left behind, both teams came back with a reason to celebrate.
In this week's U.S. Track and Field Cross Country Coaches Association Division III poll, the women are ranked 10th while the men are 19th.
University of Guelph took home first place as a team in the 6K race, but the women's team followed behind, placing fifth out of 22 teams. University of New Hampshire junior Catherine Parker won first place in 17:14. The Lions collected a team score of 159 points.
Sophomore Martine McGrath was the top scorer, finishing 16th in a time of 18:26. Sophomore Megan O'Leary clinched 30th place in a time of 18:48 and senior Jenna Fasulo came in 35th, finishing the race in 18:53.
"I improved my finish from last year," McGrath said. "Overall our team had a good day. This season we are hoping to finish strong and qualify for Nationals."
Senior Jenna Prendergast collected 38th place and sophomore Stephanie Herrick followed in 40th place in 19:01. Rounding out the Lions' pack was junior Julie Ullmeyer, who finished in 56th. Sara Best was the seventh runner for the Lions, earning 59th place in 19:16.
"We are looking forward to Ithaca (College) and other good contenders and we are confident in our ability," McGrath said.
In the men's 8K race, the Lions earned sixth place with a team score of 145. The Lions and Rochester Institute of Technology were tied for fifth, but the College was awarded sixth in the end. Sophomore Chris Guerriero was the Lions' top finisher, earning 10th place in 25:10, and junior Brian Kopnicki was close behind in 11th with a time of 25:12.
Finishing 41st, 42nd and 44th was junior Galen Johnson in 25:59, sophomore Greg Bull in 25:59 and senior Greg Howe crossing the line at 26:01. Junior Kyle Alpaugh finished 63rd in 26:22 and freshman Brandon Rodkewitz placed 74th in 26:29.
The Lions compete on Oct. 28 at Richard Stockton College of New Jersey in the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championships starting at 10:30 a.m.
