MARCY, NY- The Utica University cross country teams opened the season with a bang on Saturday. The men's team placed first with freshman Bennet Melita (Johnstown, NY/Fonda Fultonville) finishing in second place while the women finished in second place with 49 points. 
 
Melita got through the course in a time of 19:23 to place second spearheading Utica's team effort that netted an impressive 33 team points for the men. He averaged a 5:13 mile. The Pioneers took four of the top 10 places on the men's side while the women had two finishing in the top 10. Freshman Maria Stuhlman took the 10 spot with a time of 18:42 while averaging a 7:13 mile. Jade Denning placed third with a time of 18:34. She averaged a 7:08 mile. 
 
Tobias Jeralds (Canaan, NY/Chatham) was fourth in the men's race with 20:25, Zachary Brown was seventh in 21:04 and Anthony Leotta (Dix Hills, NY/Half Hollow Hills West) ran a time of 21:12. 
 
Gianna Welker finished the race in 19:58 while Kyla Reed and Priya Katwala rounded out the time for the team respectively. 
 
The Pioneers are back in action next Saturday at the Hamilton Short Course Meet.