CLINTON, NY - Utica University's men's cross country team traveled to Clinton, NY, for the second time this season to participate in the Hamilton Invitational. After competing in the 5-kilometer Hamilton Short Course Invitational in mid-September, the team returned to the course for the 8-kilometer race. Utica placed 4th of seven competing teams with two top-25 finishers. Teams will return to Hamilton's Cross Country Course in two weekend for the Hamilton Short Course Tune-Up.

Joseph Santiago (Amsterdam, NY/Amsterdam) led the Pioneers with his 19th overall 28:34.5 finish. Ben Bellinger (Sherrill, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) crossed just 15.5 seconds and two runners later. Evan Humphrey (Utica, NY/Whitesboro) was the final Utica runner in the top 30, finishing 28th overall with his 30:49.7 pace. Nathan Sand (Beekmantown, NY/Beekmantown) and Lucas Oakes (Brushton, NY/Brushton-Moira) completed the Pioneers' team scoring, finishing 32nd and 33rd overall with times of 31:52.2 and 32:02.8.

Utica earned 133 points in the team scoring, good for 4th overall among the seven participating teams. Hamilton dominated their second home race of the season, placing 14 runners among the top 20 individual finishers. 

The squad will travel again next weekend to compete in the Rowan Border Battle. The race is scheduled to begin at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 18th. The event will be hosted at DREAM Park in Glassboro, NJ.