Utica, NY(9/9/2013)-Sophomore Ashton Villeneuve (Holland Patent, NY/Holland Patent) of the Utica College cross country team was named the College’s Female Athlete of the Week on Monday.
Villeneuve shattered the Utica College record for a 5,000 meter cross country race while leading her team to victory at Cobleskill's Steven A. Warde Invitational on Saturday. The sophomore from Holland Patent, NY opened up a gap of 1:09 over her nearest competitor as she cruised to a convincing first place finish in a time of 17:55.
Villeneuve's time easily bested Katie Day's previous 5k school record of 18:29 by 34 seconds. In addition, Villeneuve was one of four Utica runners to finish in the top ten as the Pioneers won the Warde Invitational for the third time in their last three appearances with a score of 26 points.
The race also marked Villeneuve’s second consecutive victory of the 2013 season. Villeneuve picked up her first win of the season as the Pioneers competed at the SUNYIT Wildcat Invitational on August 31st. She finished the 5k course in a time of 19:27 and was the only competitor to finish under 20:00. The Pioneers finished second overall with a score of 62 points.
UC will not compete this coming weekend, but will return to action on Friday, Sept. 20, as it previews the Empire 8 Championship course at the RPI Invitational in Saratoga Springs, NY. The women’s race is scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m.
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