Zarella Leads Hawks at ECAC Division III Cross Country Championship

GRAFTON, MA — The SUNY New Paltz men’s and women’s cross country teams competed at the ECAC Division III Championship this morning at The Farm Course on the campus of the Tufts University Veterinary School.

The men’s squad finished 12th among 33 schools and completed the meet with 375 points. The Hawks were led by senior John Zarella (Mahopac, NY) who finished fifth with a time of 26:53. Zarella earned All-ECAC honors for his performance. Senior Dan Holton (Rhinebeck, NY) was the number two finisher for New Paltz and 66th overall with a time of 28:55. Freshman Matt McLean (Oswego, NY) came in 84th at 29:16. Junior Sam Austin (Northport, NY) finished in 119th place with a time of 30:08.

Matthew Haley of Keene State won the 8,000-meter event with a time 26:35. He helped Keene State finish second with 82 points. Tufts, who had four runners among the top ten, won the meet with 32 points.

In the women’s meet, SUNY New Paltz was 17th among 31 schools. The Hawks totaled 406 points and were led by sophomore Kate Choromanski (Shelton, CT) who finished 62nd with a time of 25:23. Sophomore Heather DeBuono (Fishkill, NY) ran close behind her and finished in 74th place with a time of 25:34. Sophomore Janet Walsh (Baldwinsville, NY) was 83rd with a time of 25:43. Freshman Alida Van Almelo (Groton, NY) finished 100th in 26:13.

Heather Rishel of Lebanon Valley finished first in the 6,000-meter race with a time of 22:54. Williams College placed three runners in the top 10 to capture the meet with 55 points.