UTICA, NY - Utica University's men's cross country team will travel to Goodman Campus Cross Country Course in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to race in the 51st Paul Short Run. The event will feature a total of 161 collegiate men's teams, split into four races, ranging from 38 to 44 across each race. Utica will compete in the largest of these groups, the "White" group, which is made up of 44 programs with a start time of 12:30 pm. The "White" race will feature 44 of the 74 total NCAA Division III programs competing in the event.
Last Time Out: Men's cross country last laced up for the University of Rochester Yellowjacket Invitational. Utica placed 9th out of 24 competing teams in their first eight-kilometer race of the season, led handily by
Bennett Melita (Johnstown, NY/Fonda-Fultonville). Melita finished with a time of 25:44.4, good for 7th overall and 59 spots ahead of his next Pioneer teammate.
Tobias Jeralds (Canaan, NY/Chatham) finished second among Utica and 66th overall with a 27:16.4 completion.
Killian Bauer (Verona, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherill),
Anthony Leotta (Dix Hills, NY/Half Hollow Hills West), and
Timothy Jeralds (Canaan, NY/Chatham Central) rounded out the Pioneers' team scoring, with each finishing within three seconds of the 27:36 mark, placing 73rd, 76th, and 77th overall.
Forest Martin (Poland, NY/Poland Central) also finished in the top 100 with an 88th-best 27:52.4 time.
Finding Another Gear: Utica ran eight kilometers for the first time in the 2025 season, following events of five and six kilometers. One Pioneer,
Joseph Santiago (Amsterdam, NY/Amsterdam), managed a faster mile pace in the 8km race than in the 5km race, and was one of four Pioneers with a faster 8km mile time than 6km pace. Santiago ran incredibly consistent times in the first two races, posting a 5:53.7 and a 5:54 before lowering to 5:46 in Rochester. Zachary Brown,
Forest Martin (Poland, NY/Poland Central), and
Timothy Jeralds (Canaan, NY/Chatham Central) were the other four improvers, running paces that were 12.9, 4.7, and 0.3 seconds faster, respectively.
Up Next: Next Saturday, October 11th, Utica will return to Clinton, NY, for their second event hosted by Hamilton College. Races in the Hamilton Invitational are scheduled to begin at 12:00 pm at the Hamilton Cross Country Course.
