Utica University Athletics

Junior Morgan Payne of the Utica College men’s cross country team was named the College’s Male Athlete of the Week after he taking home the top honors at the 5^th Annual Steven Warde Invitational hosted by SUNY Cobleskill on Saturday. 

Payne dominated the men’s 8K with a time of 29:19.36 to earn first place overall.  He also helped the men’s team to a first place finish in the team competition.  He was 35 seconds faster than the second place finisher from Union College.  The award marks the second time in two years that Payne has been named the College’s Athlete of the Week. 

Payne has been the fastest Pioneer at the last two races.  Last week, he finished first out of Division III athletes (30th overall) at the Harry Lang Invitational at Colgate University.

The Pioneers placed first at Cobleskill, and first out of DIII teams at Colgate.  They return to action Saturday Sept. 22 as they head to Williamstown, MA for the Purple Valley Classic hosted by Williams College.  The race will be held at Mt. Greylock High School with the gun set to go off at 11:30 a.m.

                                                    --- www.ucpioneers.com ---