Cross Country Runs Season-Bests at Mike Woods Invitational
The SUNY Erie cross country team competed in its largest, most competitive meet of the season at the Mike Woods Invitational. Hosted by SUNY Geneseo at the National Warplane Museum, the invitational featured several nationally ranked NCAA Division III teams. The Kats stepped up to the challenge, with six athletes setting season-best times (or the equivalent).
The women's 6-kilometer race included 25 teams and 274 finishers. Coming off her victory at the Bruce Bridgeman Invitational, Lydia Smith took 52nd place in a talented, deep field. Her 6k time of 23:58 converts to about 19:48 for a 5k. Madison Baird ran her strongest race of the season, finishing 213th place in 27:56 (6k), which converts to about 23:06 5k.
The men's 8k race included 28 collegiate teams and 373 total runners. Christopher Davis led the Kats in 304th place with a time of 31:33 (a personal best by 18 seconds). David Gregoire finished second for SUNY Erie, moving up his position throughout the race to secure 329thplace in 32:40. Also finishing for the Kats were Eugene Bush (364th place, 48:17) and Sam Vail (365th place, 50:42).
"The goal for today was to experience a big-time invitational," said Head Coach Chris Muldoon. "It's easy to get intimated when you line up against three hundred other runners. But I'm very pleased with how we responded. To have so many season-best performances while battling through the crowd is a great sign as we get closer to our championship races."