ROCHESTER, NY - The Utica University men's and women's cross country teams both completed the day at the Yellowjacket Invitational, hosted by University of Rochester. The men's team placed 9th out of 24 teams, while the women placed 11th out of 24 teams.  
 
On the men's side, Bennett Melita (Johnstown, NY/Fonda-Fultonville) continued his hot streak with another top-ten finish, crossing the finish line with a seventh place time of 25:44.4. Tobias Jeralds (Canaan, NY/Chatham) was the second Pioneer across the line with a time of 27:16.4. Killian Bauer (Verona, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherill) and Anthony Leotta (Dix Hills, NY/Half Hollow Hills West) finished not too far apart from one another with times of 27:33.1 and 27:37.7 respectively. Timothy Jeralds (Canaan, NY/Chatham Central), Forest Martin (Poland, NY/Poland Central), and Ben Bellinger (Sherrill, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) rounded out the score card for the Pioneers, with Jeralds and Martin finishing in just under 28 minutes while Bellinger clocked in with a time of 28:22.0. 
 
On the women's side, Marlo Townsend (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) was the first Pioneer to cross the finish line with a time of 23:14.1, finishing just outside the top 20, in 21st place. Catherine Manna (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) was not far behind Townsend, finishing with a time of 23:59.0. Maria Stuhlman (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) and Lacey Simmons (Vernon Center, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) finished exactly two seconds apart with times of 25:07.3 and 25:09.3 respectively. Rounding out the scorecard for the Pioneers was Isabella Verdejo (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford), Emma Charboneau (Fultonville, NY/Fonda-Fultonville), and Kamryn Williams (New York Mills, NY/New York Mills) who each finished under the 30 minute mark. 
 
Both teams will now travel to Bethlehem, PA to take on the Paul Short Run, hosted by Lehigh University. Start time on Friday, October 3 is set for 12pm.