The wildcats headed down to Connecticut last Friday afternoon to compete in the CCSU mini meet. The meet is held annually at Central Connecticut University in New Britain.
Senior William Ulrich paced the ‘Cats, placing 6th overall in the race with a time of 15 minutes and 59 seconds. Ulrich improved on his 5K time from the previous meet by nearly one full minute. His strong performance was recognized as he won America East Performer of the Week.
Senior Dean Yost was next to place with a time of 15 minutes and 26 seconds earning him 17th place. Yost also improved his time from the previous 5K run by 12 seconds.
Following Yost, Sophomore Nicolas Sevilla-Connelly finished in 21st with a time of 15 minutes and 29 seconds. This was Sevilla-Connelly’s new personal record, breaking his old one by 23 seconds. Next Brett Hoerner finished with a time of 15 minutes and 30 seconds earning him 23rd place. Junior Jack Crawford also set a new personal best with a time of 15 minutes and 44 seconds leaving him in 32nd. Lastly, senior Davis Clark finished with a time of 15 minutes and 50 seconds to round off the men’s team.
The ‘Cats Men’s team placed 3rd in the 5K run with a point total of 99. The men’s heat was won by American International College’s Leakey Kipkosgei with a time of 14 minutes and 37 seconds. League opponent Providence won the meet with four runners in the top ten.
For the ‘Cats women’s Cross-Country team, Meg Champagne led the charge in the 3K race finishing with a time of 10 minutes and 18 seconds. Champagne, a constant top performer, beat her old personal record that she set at the mini meet last year. Champagne was also named the America East Female Performer of the Week for Cross Country with her 3rd place finish in the race. This was her second time receiving this accolade this year.
Junior Madeline Quigley finished next placing 17th with a time of 10 minutes and 44 seconds. Soon after Quigley, first-year Eleonora Olsmats set her first collegiate 3K race time finishing in 18th with a time of 10 minutes and 45 seconds. Sophomore Cayla Barretto finished in 21st place with a time of 10 minutes and 47 seconds, Baretto set a new personal record with this time. First-year Kira Nolan finished in 23rd with a time of 10 minutes and 49 seconds, this was also Nolan’s first 3K race of her collegiate career. Rounding out the women was Morgan Sansing finishing 47th with a time of 11 minutes and 10 seconds, Sansing also set a new personal record beating her old time by six seconds.
The ‘Cats women’s team had an impressive finish also coming in 3rd place for the meet. Bri Ilarda won the race for the women with a time of 9 minutes and 42 seconds. Providence took first place in the meet for women’s teams with a score of 20 points.
This Saturday both the women’s and men’s teams will compete in the America East Championship Meet taking place in Nashua, NH. This is the start of the championship season for the ‘Cats Cross Country teams as they look to leave their mark this season in the Ame