NORTHAMPTON, Mass. – The Southern Vermont College men and women's cross country teams took to the trails for the first time this season on Saturday at the Smith College XC Invitational in Northampton, Mass. The Mountaineers ran a tough race on both sides, as mid-day start times made for a warm meet.
Freshman Haley Omasta (Danbury, Conn.) led the way on the women's side with a 5K time of 24:50.36. Smith's Kylee Druggan-Eppich was across the line first in the race with a time of 19:59.41.
For the men's squad, freshman Joshua Ceasar (Bardstown, Ky.) crossed first at 30:34.45 in the 8K run, while Springfield College's Anthony Salvucci finished at 26:47.20. It was the first 8K race Ceasar had ever run.
A hot and humid day, combined with grueling courses laced with more hills than most and rugged trails which caused times to be behind averages for the runners.
Men's captain Victor Velazquez (Los Angeles, Calif.) was second for SVC at 34:20.53, and freshman Kenny Poteat (Yonkers, N.Y.) finished strong with a time of 35:25.21. Women's captain Loni Masiero (Wallkill, N.Y.) was second for the squad at 29:04.79.
The Mountaineers will rest up and continue preparation for when they host the 2012 Mountaineer Invitational during Homecoming weekend, September 22.