WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Five of the six Southern Vermont College men's cross country runners at Saturday's Purple Valley Classic finished with season bests in 8,000 meter races as the Mountaineers continue to improve throughout the year.

SVC finished 14th in a field comprised of 22 squads that posted team scores at the meet hosted by Williams College at Mount Greylock Regional High School. All six competitors finished faster than they did a week ago, getting a feel for the same course that the Eastern College Athletic Conference Division III Championship will be on in early November.

The Mountaineers were led by junior Justin Ferguson (Broadalbin, N.Y.) who came through the line 44th overall out of 244 participants, taking 29 seconds off his time from last week to put up a 26:52.7. He was followed by sophomore Marc Brandmeyer (Bennington, Vt.) who knocked off a whole 1:12 from a week ago to cross at 27:20.2.

SVC junior Corey Barcomb (Burlington, Vt.) shaved six seconds from last week's race time for a 30:05.8 showing, and the Southern Vermont top five was rounded out by consecutive finishes from Bennington College freshman Noah Froh (Milwaukee, Wis.) and senior captain Cameron Michael Curtiss (Milton, Vt.). Froh and Curtiss each took 28 seconds off of their times from last week to cross at 30:26.5 and 30:27.6, respectively, while junior Aden Fischer (Arlington, Vt.) took 24 seconds off his previous finish for a time of 34:00.4.

Southern Vermont heads to the Keene State Invitational next Saturday, October 3 to continue the season with an 11:45 a.m. 8k.

Southern Vermont
44th – Justin Ferguson: 26:52.7
65th – Marc Brandmeyer: 27:20.2
191st – Corey Barcomb: 30:05.8
201st – Noah Froh: 30:26.5
202nd – Cameron Michael Curtiss: 30:27.6
234th – Aden Fischer: 34:00.4