Race Results

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY (September 17, 2011) -- Heading into the 8k RPI Invitational held in Saratoga State Spa Park with ideal running conditions, the Vassar College men's cross country team finished second in a national caliber field, producing the program's fastest ever performance at this meet.

The men scored 65 points in finishing second out of seven teams, and were led by junior Sam Wagner (8th place, 26:21). The Brewers made for tough competition against the nationally ranked teams of St. Lawrence, who placed first in both the men's and women's races. St. Lawrence won the race with 21 points followed by Vassar (65), RPI (69) and Liberty League newcomer RIT (86).

On the men's side, the top five included Wagner, senior Will Healy (12th place, 26:34), junior Roni Teich (13th place, 26:39), freshman Eliot Gerson (14th place, 26:41), and senior Zach Williams (18th place, 26:52). The time gap between the top five was 31 seconds, and all five came through the first mile within six seconds of each other, demonstrating their ability to run as a tight pack. With a close finish, the men ultimately edged out RPI by four points for second place.

“This is a step in the right direction,” head coach James McCowan said. “There are things we could still do better, but being this fast and strong now only means we are getting fitter and stronger and faster. It's a very promising look.”

“We need to improve our depth and get closer together, but we're doing a good job of penetrating the top couple of spots," McCowan added. "They were really competitive coming off the starting line, and were really assertive. Across the board, it was really exciting. It shows that they want it.”

One of the strongest aspects of the teams, McCowan noted, is that the top runners on each side are interchangeable; there is no set order that the team falls into.

“The top runners can switch it up,” McCowan said. “Even if on paper the order of names changes, we can still have really good results.”

Wagner started the season cautiously, taking preventative measures to ensure fewer injuries. This was the first day Wagner “let loose," and his efforts certainly paid off.

“I ran faster than I thought I would,” Wagner said. “Cross country is a sport that deals with doubts the whole time, and I had that. But on the other side, I was thinking, 'I can do this, I'm still in good shape' … It was a lesson in self-confidence, really.”

Healy approached the race motivated by his desire to beat his previous times on this course.

“I ran much better than I thought,” Healy said. "I kept my focus on Sam's back. The race ended where it should have.”

With four races left in the regular season, Healy has high expectations for himself and for the team. "I want to break 26 minutes for an 8k," Healy said. "And I want us all to be really strong. I think we will be."

The Brewers will race next on September 30, at the Paul Short Invitational, hosted by Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA.