Men's Cross Country

'Wick Runners Race at Empire 8 Championships/Saratoga Invite

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY - On Saturday, the Hartwick men's and women's cross country teams competed at the Saratoga Invitational in Saratoga Springs, NY. The event also doubled as the Empire 8 Championships.

The Hawks women took 6th in the conference and 10th overall at the meet. The men were 7th in the E8 and 13th overall.

The Hartwick women finished the conference 5K run with 163 points, just 17 behind 5th place Stevens. Sophomore Erika Gates (Vestal, NY/Vestal) was the Hawks' top finisher in 33rd. She crossed the tape in 20:27.34. Senior Gabby Dello (Mount Upton, NY/Delhi) was 39th (20:52.36), junior Laura Gray (New Windsor, NY/Howell) was 41st (20:54.02), and junior Kim Negrich (Mayfield, NY/Mayfield) and freshman Sheila Niedziela (Sprakers, NY/Fonda Fultonville) finished 44th and 45th, respectively.

John Stuligross (Kinosha, WI/Kenosha Bradford) led the men's effort placing 39th in the 8K run with a time of 29:00.29. Tim Sattler (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) was 46th (29:37.90), Ethan Staats (East Greenbush, NY/Columbia) was 57th (30:21.15), and Justin Pedersen (Gilbertsville, NY/Gilbertsville Mount Upton) took 61st (30:48.12).

The conference also announced its postseason awards at the conclusion of the meet. Hartwick's Pedersen and Dello were each named to the 2009 E8 Cross Country Sportsmen and Sportswomen of the Year teams, respectively, for competing with honor and integrity throught the year.

Hartwick competes next on Nov. 14th at Letchworth State Park in the NCAA Regional Qualifier.