Pioneers Win Alfred State Invitational, Women 2nd

The Alfred State men's cross country team opened up their 2014 season in impressive fashion by winning the annual Alfred St. Invitational. The Pioneers had eight runners finish in the top 10 of the 5k course.  The Lady Pioneers four top 10 finishers to earn 2nd place in the women's 4k race.

Mercyhurst North East's Shawn Wiler was the men's overall winner. He finished in 17:53.5 followed by James Westman (Fultonville) and Jacob Hanss (East Rochester). Westman crossed the finish line in 17:58.2 and Hanss in 18:07.6.

John Ciccone of Penn State Worthington Scranton finished 4th (18:08.20) followed by six Pioneers. Eric Hulbert (Mexico) was 5th (18:12), Dominic Freudenvoll (Greece Arcadia) was 6th (18:31.6), Umang Dharamshi (Wappingers Falls) was 7th (18:51.2), Brandon Moore (Newfield) was 8th (18:53.4), Jonathan Pearl (Campbell Savona) was 9th (19:16.3), and Austin Ormond (Falconer) was 10th (19:19.1).

The Pioneers scored a 23 in the event followed by Alfred University (66), Penn State Worthington Scranton (69), and Mercyhurst North East (80).

Alfred University took first place in the women's race with a score of 37 followed by Alfred State (43), Elmira College (57), and Penn State Worthington Scranton (81). Elmira was running in their first cross country in the history of the college.

Lindsey Thiel (Liverpool) led the Lady Pioneers with a 2nd place finish. She crossed the 4k finish line in 17:38, 31 seconds behind overall winner Lindsay Piraino from Alfred University.  Mary Frances Aini (Arkport) was 6th (19:19.8), Kelly Healy (Maple Hill) was 7th (19:34.3), and Cassandra Ryan (Gloversville) was 9th (20:00.7).

The blue & gold are back at it next weekend when they travel to the Brockport Invitational. The opening race is slated to begin at 10 a.m.