News

Teams

Facilities

Hall of Honor

Highlander Sports
Associates

Camps

Affiliations

Athletic Training

Staff Directory

Prospective
Athlete Form

Champions

of Character

Sports Ministry

Beyond Competition

Intramurals

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- September 2, 2006
CONTACT: Glyn Turner 585,567,9648

           Four Personnel Best's at Cross-Country Opener

Buffalo State Invitational, Beaver Isle State Park, N.Y. 

Meet Overview: 

The Houghton Men’s and Women’s Cross Country teams started their seasons on Saturday in the Buffalo State Invitational.   With the remnants of Hurricane Ernesto providing challenging conditions for the season opener. Both the men’s and women’s races featured a slew of nationally ranked teams including last years Women’s NCAA Division III National Champions Geneseo University and perennial NAIA men’s and women’s powerhouses Malone College currently ranked #5 in the NAIA.  

The women’s race went off first with the rain coming down heavily at times; the Houghton Women used this race to hone their “pack- running” techniques.  The women were lead by 5^th year senior Mary Gibson in 19:43, followed by first year runner Kaity Fadden in 20:09 both women finished in the top 30 finishers.  Both women ran excellent races given the conditions, and other obstacles including arriving a little bit late to the meet.  These women were followed by Junior Irene Vickner finishing in 21:34 followed by the main pack of Houghton Women lead by Sophomore Lydia Thorneblade in 22:26, Rachel Rhodes in 22:37 and freshmen Lindsey Privitera in 23:08.  

The women’s team finished the race in 7^th place out of 12 complete teams, and showed vast improvement from last years opening meet at this course.  There are signs of this women’s team becoming a contender with the elite teams in the AMC conference. All the women need is to continue improving throughout the season and we should be in the hunt in the AMC.  

The Men’s race also featured numerous top ranked teams, and the Houghton Men did not disappoint in their performance.  The men had three PR’s (personal records) in the meet and that is amazing considering the conditions including having to run over a pace setting gator that stalled out on the course.   The men followed the women’s lead and practiced their “pack-running” techniques and ran the first two miles of the race as one unit.   The men were lead by Sophomore Daniel Ballard in time of 27:10, he was closely followed by Sophomore Chad Stauring who finished in 27:24 (a PR) both men finished in the top 40 finishers.   The next pack of Houghton harriers was not far behind led by Senior Captain Ryan Fadden in 27:58 the Houghton runners claimed the next three spots with Sophomore Jacob Connor finishing in 28:01 (a PR), and  Junior Mike Platt finishing in 28:02.   

Freshmen Landry Jarvis had a good result for his first collegiate race at the men’s 8 kilometer distance finishing in 28:40. Landry was followed by second year runner Aaron Williams who finished in 28:56 for a PR as well.  Senior Ryan Spear Finished next in 29:59, followed by Junior Joseph Campagna who ran well in the early stages of the race but succumbed to sickness near the finish, finishing the race in 30:34.

The Men’s team followed the women’s lead in finishing 7^th out of 12 teams an also showed vast improvement from last year’s season opener.  The men’s looks to have a bright future this season and will be exciting to watch as the develop.  

Coaches Corner:  

Assistant Coach Matt Dougherty:  

“Both teams had really good performances, especially given the conditions of the meet and the early stage of the season.  Both teams showed glimpses of what the can accomplish, what they need to do right now is focus on the training and team tactics.”  

“Several of the runners showed great improvement form last year and it’s really great to see an athlete start to reach the achievements you know they are capable of, this years team is really unique in that the are really hard workers and they are focused on their goals, while keeping the balance of friendship within the team.”  

“Just a really great way to start the season.”  

Meet Results:  

Women’s 

 Team Results Women

     Team                Points

1.   Geneseo             33   (2005 NCAA Division III National Champions)

2.  Malone                51    (#7  NAIA National Ranking)

3. Slippery Rock        108   (Top 30 Ranking NCAA Division III)

4. IUP                      112

5. Brockport              166

6. Buffalo St.             258

7. Houghton College  275

8. William Smith        367

9. New Paltz              385

10. California PA        408

11. Cuyahoga            504

12. Oswego               508 

Men’s  

 Team Results Men

      Team                Points

1. Geneseo                 24        (Ranked top 20 NCAA Division III)

2. Malone                   56        (Ranked #5 NAIA)

3. Slippery Rock          123      (Ranked top 30 NCAA Division III)

4. Brockport                145     

5. IUP                        155

6. Oswego                  215

7. Houghton College 228

8. Buffalo St.               360

9. Califoria PA             379

10. Hobart                  406

11. SUNY-IT                457

12. New Paltz               466