ONEONTA, NY - Friday afternoon under overcast skies the Hartwick Cross Country team competed at the Oneonta State Airfield Invitational. With winds calm and temperatures in the high 50's, the teams were greeted with ideal conditions for fast racing. Despite Hartwick's 6th place finish (men and women) in a very competitive field, it was once again a situation of... "climb aboard for the PB (personal best) express" as every Hartwick athlete competing on the afternoon was treated with a course personal best.
The women's team was competing with a deficit as numerous athletes were absent do to academic responsibilities. Nevertheless, it was Hartwick junior and co-captain Gabby Dello leading the team with a season-best 18:47 for 31st place. Hot on her heals two seconds back was sophomore Erika Gates in 33rd in 18:49. Junior Laura Gray chalked up another career-best for 41st in 19:20, Sheila Niedziela was 50th in 19:46, and Rachel Karker was 63rd in 22:29.
In a men's field that could only be described as stacked. The race was dominated by Hamilton's 2-Time defending NCAA champion Peter Kosgei, the nationally ranked SUNY Plattsburgh Cardinals, as well as defending JUCO National Champions Delhi. Again leading the way for Hartwick was freshman John Stuligross in 61st with a season PB of 21:22. Junior Tim Sattler was 74th in 21:54. Closing well was freshman Ethan Staats in 22:15 for 78th, and junior Justin Pedersen was 85th in 22:37. Rounding out the scorers (in cross country the top 5 runners for each team score) was senior Ben Wronkoski with a two minute PR in 24:21 in 89th.
