ESF Runners Face Strong Squads in Weekend Meets

09/26/2011

The Mighty Oaks men's cross-country team finished fourth Sept. 24 in the 6-kilometer Jack Daniels Race hosted by powerhouse SUNY Cortland. The women's cross-country team competed the following day and finished in the middle of the pack at the Lemoyne College Invitational.

The ESF men finished fourth out of eight teams that began the race ran on a fast, flat course on a day that combined a cool breeze with overcast skies.

Freshman Brian Busby led the ESF team with an impressive eighth-place finish. He was followed by Timmy Callahan, freshman, 22nd; Jacob Wolfgong, freshman, 41st; Ethan Washburn, freshman, 43rd; Matt DeLuca, sophomore, 49th; Collin Bartholomew, junior, 52nd; Andrew Gritzmacher, freshman, 61st; James McKenna, sophomore, 75th; Nick Grieco, freshman, 80th; Zach Powers, junior, 84th; Nathan Sleight, junior, 86th; Mike Miles, senior, 87th; Owen Hunter, senior, 88th; Maxwell Woelk, freshman, 89th; Matt Allen, senior, 90th; Cody Wilkes, freshman, 92nd; Sean Kernan, senior, 94th; Dan Hohl, senior, 95th; and Joe Gerchman, junior, 96th.

SUNY Cortland, Scranton University and Clarkson University placed ahead of ESF in first, second and third places, respectively. Mohawk Valley Community College and Ithaca College followed ESF in fifth and sixth places, while Binghamton University and the Syracuse Chargers didn't place due to a lack of finishers.

"This race was an excellent test for the Oaks as they prepare to race next week at the Cazenovia Invitational 8K cross-country race," said John View, ESF cross-country coach.

That race is Oct. 1 at Cazenovia College.

The women's cross-country team faced stiff competition in the Lemoyne College Invitational Sunday, Sept 25. The Mighty Oaks placed third among five teams. finishing behind an overpowering Lemoyne squad and being nipped by SUNY Delhi.

The Mighty Oaks downed teams from Onondaga Community College and the Syracuse Jackalopes Club.

Freshman Cambria Ziemer placed first for the Oaks in 12th place overall. She was followed by Danielle Kaveney (13th), Danielle Zgardzinski (15th), Bridget Bromm (19th), and Emily Martin (20th) to round out the scoring five. Also placing were Mikayla Bittner (23rd), Elizabeth Bourguet (24th), Charlotte Evanofski (27th), Kaitlin Larson (28th), Kristin Pasquino (29th), Alice Gallagher (31st), Aileen Gray (32nd) and Kelly McKenna (33rd).

The women's team will compete Oct. 1 at the Cazenovia Invitational.