Poughkeepsie, NY – The SUNY New Paltz men’s and women’s cross country teams traveled across the Hudson for their season opener at the Vassar Invite, the men’s team finished second and the women took fourth. Due to extreme conditions at last years race and the threat of storms blowing through, this years men’s race was shortened to a 6K from the traditional distance of 8K, while the women competed at the 5K distance.
The men’s team placed four runners in the top fifteen which propelled them to a second place finish behind Vassar. Newcomer Joseph Gentsch (Staten Island, NY/Curtis) led the way for the Hawks with a fifth place finish in 21:13, which was only one minute and five seconds off the first place runner. Geoff Hurley (Getzville, NY/Williamsville North) finished eighth in 21:24 and junior Nick Avello (West Sand Lake, NY/Averill Area) finished 11th with a time of 21:35. Mike Zelensky (Watesford, NY/Shenendehowa) placed 13th with a time of 21 minutes and 38 seconds.
The women’s team placed three runners in the top twenty to help the Hawks finish fourth and the scoring five for the Hawks all finished within 37 seconds of each other. Sophomore Danielle Harmon (Pearl River, NY/Pearl River) finished 12th with in 21:18 to pace the pack. Junior Lisa Cassaro (West Islip, NY/West Islip) placed 14th with a time of 21 minutes and 24 seconds and Olga Stulov (Glenmont, NY/Bethlehem) finished 18th with a time of 21:43. Senior Stephanie Albinski (Commack, NY) was 21st and Kristina Rolla (Valley Stream, NY/Hewlett) cross the line 22nd.
The SUNY New Paltz men’s and women’s cross country team travels to SUNY Brockport on Saturday September 13 for the Brockport State Invite at 11 a.m.
