FREDONIA, NY – The Utica University men's and women's cross country teams placed fifth and sixth, respectively, at the Fredonia Kara Hall Memorial Invitational on Friday afternoon, with the men competing in an 8K and the women racing a 6K.
The Pioneer men finished fifth out of 13 teams with 160 points, led by
Bennett Melita (Johnstown, NY/Fonda-Fultonville) with a second-place finish in 26:14.8.
Killian Bauer (Verona, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherill) followed closely behind in seventh with a time of 26:28.6. Melita and Bauer were the second and seventh overall finishers, respectively.
Timothy Jeralds (Canaan, NY/Chatham Central) was Utica's third scorer, finishing 49th in 27:51.4, while
Brandon Knisely (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) and
Liam Maxson (Ilion, NY/Central Valley Academy) rounded out the scoring five in 76th and 77th, respectively. Knisely crossed in 28:42.6, while Maxson posted a time of 28:51.1.
Forest Martin (Poland, NY/Poland Central) and Ben Bellinger also competed for the Pioneers, finishing in 29:15.5 and 29:41.3.
The Pioneer women placed sixth out of 12 competing teams, recording 165 points.
Marlo Townsend (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) paced Utica with a sixth-place finish in 23:20.2, while
Catherine Manna (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) crossed in 12th at 24:05.9.
Nicole Arnhold (Hampton, NY/Granville) was Utica's third scorer in 50th place with a time of 25:28.8.
Lacey Simmons (Vernon Center, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) finished 65th in 26:15.4, and
Tara Fobare (Sauquoit, NY/New Hartford) rounded out the scoring five in 86th at 27:18.0.
Courtney Pettit (Walworth, NY/Wayne) also competed, finishing 105th in 29:41.1.
Both teams are back in action next weekend, as they make the short trip for the second Hamilton College event of the season, the Hamilton Invitational. Start time for the women on Saturday, October 10 is set for 11:00am from Clinton, NY, while the men are set to start at 11:45am
