Invitational Results

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 4, 2010) -- Running on a breezy 76 degrees day, the Vassar College men's cross-country team captured its eighth straight Invitational Championship, winning the 6k race with a team score of 28. In the field of 12 teams, the Brewers were followed by SUNY New Paltz (38), Stevens Institute of Technology (55), SUNY Purchase (164), and Baruch College (167) in the top five. 

Vassar will next run on Saturday September 18, in the NCAA Pre-Regional, being held in Oneonta, New York. 

In the race, SUNY New Paltz senior Joe Gentsch finished in a time of 19:50 narrowly edging Vassar's Sam Wagner, who also finished in a time of 19:50. The finish was reminiscent of last year's race, in which Gentsch edged Vassar's Jonathan Erickson by a matter of steps. Gentsch entered the final straightaway two steps ahead of Wagner, just the way Wagner had planned it. 

“In past years New Paltz had gone out quick, and we expected them to do that again,” said Wagner after the race. “Our strategy was to stay just behind them. I just got out kicked at the end.” 

Head coach James McCowan offered lofty praise of the team's top finisher, “Sam is a very strong runner. I am very excited to see that kind of performance from him this early in the year.” 

Finishing behind Wagner, in third place was Vassar junior Justin Rupert with a time 20:36. Jeff Raab (20:41) of SUNY New Paltz finished 4th, while Vassar sophomore William Healy (20:44) finished 5th for the Brewers. Rounding out the Vassar's scoring five was sophomore Roni Teich who finished in 6th place (20:58) and junior Matthew Blair (21:33) in 12th place. Rupert was thrilled with his race. “I started off a little slower than I would have liked, but I ran a negative split [had a faster second half, than first half] for the first time.” 

McCowan was thrilled with the outcome. “I'm very proud of our team's performance,” McCowan said. “Everyone stepped up and really did well. We've developed a lot of depth in today's meet.” Rupert echoed McCowan's comments, “The course ran really well, and so did our team.” 

McCowan was equally proud of his new freshman class. Leading Vassar's group of newcomers was William Schaeffer who finished 20th (21:56). Classmates Harry Feigen finished in 25th place (22:09) and John Nguyen (31st place, 22:30) just behind. Freshman William Wheeler left the race after 4 kilometers, with a bruise on his foot.