KEENE, N.H. – The Southern Vermont College men's cross country team ran well through cold and rainy conditions at Saturday's Keene State College Invitational as the Mountaineers posted tremendous improvements from last week's race.

Three SVC runners charted new personal bests as the team finished eighth overall on the 8,000 meter course.

The Mountaineers have next weekend off, and they will resume the schedule on Saturday, October 14 with the 11:15 a.m. Golden Bear Invitational at Western New England University.

Southern Vermont was led by sophomore Davanté Smith (Ellenville, N.Y.) who had a season-best time by 1:12 as he crossed the line with a mark of 28:39. Bennington College freshman C.G. Holden (Pittsburgh, Pa.) was close behind with a 28:57—that being a new personal-best time for the Mountaineer by 38 seconds.

SVC junior Isaiah Backels (Derry, N.H.) took 4:12 off of his time from a week ago to come in at 33:15, and classmate Jackson Amankrah (New York City, N.Y.) knocked 2:58 off of his prior PR to come in at 36:31. Freshman Orlando Guichardo (New York, N.Y.) crossed the finish line at 47:21—taking 7:08 off of his old best for a new personal record.

Southern Vermont College
37th – Davanté Smith: 28:39
43rd – C.G. Holden: 28:57 (PR)
73rd – Isaiah Backels: 33:15
82nd – Jackson Amankrah: 36:31 (PR)
90th – Orlando Guichardo: 47:21 (PR)

– #LetsGoSVC –