SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Southern Vermont College Cross Country began its non-traditional season competition Saturday with five Mountaineers partaking in six events at the Yellow Jacket Invitational at American International College.

SVC saw strong performances from its runners in a field that contained athletes from all NCAA divisions. On a cold and windy day, the Mountaineers held their own and fared well in races much shorter than their accustomed distance runs from the fall.

Three Mountaineers competed in both the men's 800 and 1500 meter runs with all six times being personal bests. Junior Herson Canta (Eagle Rock, Calif.) finished first for SVC in both with times of 2:04.88 and 4:22.32, respectively. Junior captain Victor Velazquez (Los Angeles, Calif.) wasn't far behind with a 2:08.05 showing in the 800 and a 4:22.71 finish in the 1500. Sophomore Cameron Curtiss (Milton, Vt.) continues to work hard and improve on his times, crossing the line in the 800 with a time of 2:18.41 and then finishing the 1500 with a 4:40.64 showing.

The only Southern Vt. participant in the 200 meter dash was sophomore Kenneth Poteat (Yonkers, N.Y.) who finished the sprint in 24.82 seconds. He was also the team's lone entry into the 400 meter dash, crossing the line in 56.38 seconds.

On the women's side, freshman Schyler McGuire (Mechanicville, N.Y.) was the only Mountaineer to travel and compete, finishing the 800 meter run with a time of 2:55.13. She also participated in the 1500 meter run, crossing the line in 5:56.94.

"I thought they did well given that it was their first meet and the bitter weather conditions," said head coach Kathleen Newton. "Victor, Cameron and Herson all had personal bests, so that was quite impressive."

The University of Vermont placed first as a team for both the men's and women's groupings.

Southern Vt. gears up for its next meet on April 19 when the Mountaineers travel to the Univerisity at Albany Spring Classic.