Meet Results

BETHLEHEM, PA (October 1, 2010) – Running in his first race of the season, junior Zach Williams made the most of his debut, leading the Vassar College men's cross country team to respectable 20th place finish out of 40 teams at the Paul Short Meet hosted by Lehigh University.

Williams finished the 8K course in 26:36, good for 67th overall in a race that featured 357 runners. Williams and junior teammate Sam Wagner worked together throughout the entire race. Wagner, Vassar's second finisher, placed 70th overall in a 26:40 time.

“This was a very solid effort for the men,” said head coach James McCowan of his team that competed in the Brown Division. “We finished right where I thought we would, and as a team we rose to the occasion. We're definitely ready to get faster and continue improving.”

Heavy rains leading up to the race made the course muddy and soft, and challenging for the runners. “We required a different approach today because there was no energy return from the ground,” said McCowan. “The course was drenched, but our guys adapted.”

Junior Will Healy was Vassar's third finisher, placing 118th overall with a 27:05 time. He was followed by junior Justin Rupert in 134th (27:12), sophomore Roni Teich in 176th (27:38) and junior Evan Russek rounding out the scoring in 187th (27:45). Running in his first race of the season, sophomore Chris Lloyd finished 255th (28:47).

“In a mixed all divisions race like this, it was exciting that we were ahead of teams like CW Post, Hamilton, Oneonta, New Paltz and Cortland,” said McCowan.

The Brewers will next compete on Saturday, October 9 at the James Early Invitational hosted by Westfield State (MA) College.