Walsh Finishes Third at Vassar Invitational

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — The SUNY New Paltz men’s and women’s cross country teams opened the 2004 season in nearby Poughkeepsie, NY at the Vassar College Invitational.

The women’s team finished third behind a third-place finish by junior Janet Walsh (Baldwinsville, NY). Walsh crossed the finish line in 19:36. Sophomore Alida van Almelo (Groton, NY) was second for SUNY New Paltz and 13th overall at 20:23. Junior Kate Choromanski (Shelton, CT) came in 16th with a time of 20:28. In her collegiate debut, Christine Carlstrom (Newburgh, NY) was 19th with a time of 20:58. Sophomore Kelly Dunphy (Hauppauge, NY) was also among the Hawks’ top five runners with a 21st place finish and a time of 21:00.

With four of the top ten finishers, New York University won the meet with 35 points. Vassar finished second with 62 and SUNY New Paltz was right behind them with 67.

The men’s squad finished fifth among a field of 11 teams with senior Jason Letts (Plattsburgh, NY) leading the way. Letts was 12th among 81 runners with a time of 29:12. Junior George Correa (Central Islip, NY) was second for the Hawks and 29th overall with at time of 31:44. Sophomore Mike Nelson (Dix Hills, NY) finished 33rd with a time of 31:59. Senior Sam Austin (Northport, NY) was 48th with a time of 33:39. Sophomore Kyle Kerelchuck (Lake View, NY) rounded out the top five for the Hawks with a 66th place finish and a time 36:07.

Vassar’s Ari Kramer won the race with a course record time of 25:36. He was one of four Brewers who finished among the top four. Vassar had 18 points to outdistance Westfield State who came in second with 53. SUNY New Paltz had 160 points.