WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — In its final preparation for next week's New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Championship, the Southern Vermont College men's cross country team participated and took third at the Plansky Invitational hosted by Williams College at Mount Greylock Regional High School on Saturday.

The 5,000 meter race saw the Mountaineers run cautiously so not to sustain injury for next week's title meet. Still, each of the six SVC runners came through with faster times than they did in their only other 5k this season.

Junior Justin Ferguson (Broadalbin, N.Y.) finished first for the team with a 16:31 showing, placing sixth overall in the tough field of 77 runners. Sophomore Marc Brandmeyer (Bennington, Vt.) was right behind him with a 16:38 finish that was good enough for seventh overall.

Bennington College freshman Noah Froh (Milwaukee, Wis.) was third for Southern Vermont with a time of 18:37 while SVC junior Corey Barcomb (Burlington, Vt.) was on his heels with an 18:40 showing. Senior captain Cameron Michael Curtiss (Milton, Vt.) was right behind as he finished at 18:41, and junior Aden Fischer (Arlington, Vt.) rounded out the Southern Vermont top-five with a time of 20:07. Freshman Isaiah Backels (Derry, N.H.) completed the course with a 22:07 showing in the blistery conditions.

The Mountaineers now gear up to defend their NECC title next Saturday, October 31 at a meet they are hosting at Stanley Park in Westfield, Mass. The championship 8,000 meter race is slated to begin at 10 a.m.

Southern Vermont
6th – Justin Ferguson: 16:31
7th – Marc Brandmeyer: 16:38
40th – Noah Froh: 18:37
41st – Corey Barcomb: 18:40
42nd – Cameron Michael Curtiss: 18:41
63rd – Aden Fischer: 20:27
70th – Isaiah Backels: 22:07