Utica, N.Y. (9/26/2011) – Sophomore Morgan Payne of the Utica College Cross Country team posted another impressive showing this past weekend and for his efforts he was named the College’s Male Athlete of the Week.
Payne led the Pioneers with a 20th place finish out of 197 competitors after posting a time of 27:08 in the men’s 8K at the Purple Valley Classic hosted by Williams College this past weekend.
Payne, who has garnered two Empire 8 Conference Runner of the Week awards for his work in UC's first two races, has been the Pioneers’ top finisher in all three meets so far this season. He was the top Division III finisher at the 17th annual Harry Lang Invitational after placing 10th in the Pioneers' season-opener at Colgate University. The 2010 E8 Rookie of the Year followed that with an impressive second place finish, out of 148 runners, at the Oswego State Invitational on Sept. 10.
The Pioneers return to action, following a week off from competition, on Saturday, Sept. 8 as they travel to Canton, NY for the Pre-Regional's. The race will be hosted by St. Lawrence University and it will be held at the Hoffman Cross Country Course. The gun is set to go off at 12 p.m.
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