Pioneer Men Win Highlander Invite, Women 3rd

The Alfred State men's cross country team won the Houghton College Highlander Invitational by 41 points as five Pioneers finished in the top seven. The women's team finished 3rd with 87 points.

Keith Johnson (Webster Thomas) led the Pioneers with a 2nd place finish. His time of 26:55.65 is the fastest Alfred St. time at Houghton in program history on the 8k course. Jacob Hanss (East Rochester) was 4th (28:03.75), Jordan Rusek (Williamsville East) was 5th (28:11.25), James Westman (Fonda-Fultonville) was 6th (28:43.67), and Jonathan Pearl (Campbell Savona) was 7th (28:45.96).

The Pioneers scored a 24 to win the event followed by Roberts Wesleyan (65), Alfred University (72), Houghton (113), Bryant & Stratton (133), Finger Lakes CC (136), and Pitt-Bradford (173). 58 runners finished the race.

Lindsey Thiel (Liverpool) had another impressive run to lead the women's team. She finished 3rd on the 5k course in 19:59.49 to establish a new mark for Lady Pioneers at Houghton. Mary Frances Aini (Arkport) was 13th (21:20.6), Kelly Healy (Maple Hill) was 23rd (22:35.13), Casey Bills (Hudson Falls) was 27th (23:03.35), and Cassandra Ryan (Gloversville) was 29th (23:24.86).

Houghton won the women's title with a score of 50 followed by Roberts Wesleyan (56), Alfred State (87), Alfred University (96), Keuka (103), Elmira (132), and Pitt-Bradford (192).

The Pioneers return to action next Saturday when they run in the annual Alumni Race slated for a 11 a.m. start.