DYLAN FORMAN
Staff Writer
The cross country program traveled to Rochester this past Saturday to compete in the NCAA Atlantic Regional Championships at Genesee Valley Park. Both teams closed out their seasons on high notes and will be looking to continue the trend heading into the indoor track season.
Leading the way for the men’s team was senior Zakk Hess. He ran the first 2,000 meters in 6:15, which placed him in seventh as he looked to stay with the lead pack. Then, by the 4K mark, Hess had dropped to 18th place and seemed to be falling off of the pace of the leaders. However, he showed he was merely being patient as he made his move with 2K remaining. Over that final 2,000 meters, Hess outran the pack as he had the fastest time over that distance with a split of 6:05. This was even faster, by two seconds, then RIT’s Matt Giannino who was the overall winner.
Hess was able to finish in an impressive fourth place as he crossed the finish line in 25:17. This performance earned him a trip to the NCAA National Championship race next Saturday. He also earned NCAA All-Atlantic Region honors with his placing. It will be the second consecutive year in which Hess will compete in Division III cross country’s most coveted race.
Following Hess in the race, in 41st place, was senior captain Chris Shartrand. In his final cross country race as a Blue Devil, Shartrand ran the 8,000 meter course in 26:07. Shartrand will surely be looking to carry the momentum from a strong cross season into indoor track, where he will be looking to run strong in the 5,000 meter.
Next for the men was junior Kyle Collins, who was able to finish just behind his teammate in 44th place with a time of 26:11. In past years, Collins has always taken strength from cross country to perform well indoors in several races – particularly the 3K. After a strong season, he will be looking to continue the trend and run several personal bests this winter.
Rounding out the scoring five for the men was sophomore Cody Martini, who ran his best race this season with a personal best of 26:17. Following closely behind him was teammate and senior Jed Kovalovsky, who finished in 57th place and ran 26:22.
The displacers for the men were freshman Jack Erhard, in 27:42.2, and sophomore Bobby Cooper in 27:42.5.
As a team, Fredonia was able to finish an impressive seventh place out of 41 complete teams.
The women also competed at Genesee Valley Park on Saturday and finished in the middle of the pack, as a team, by placing 21st out of 40 complete teams.
Leading the way, as she has done all year, was junior Lauren Kotas who finished in 54th place and finished the 6K course in 23:12. Next for the women was sophomore Kara Hall, who crossed the finish line in 23:50. Third on Saturday was senior Emily Palmeri, who was able to finish the race in 24:24 and end her cross country career on a high note.
The final of the scoring runners for the women in the race was sophomore Alyssa Stroud in 24:42, and freshman Madison Courtney in 24:43.
The displacers for the race were sophomores Bonnie Binggeli in 24:52 and Julia Johnson in 24:53.
Next Saturday, Hess will be the lone Blue Devil to continue his season as he competes at the NCAA National Championships in Mason, Ohio. He will be looking to finish in the top 25 to earn All-American honors.