BRONX, NY – Siena Cross Country concluded its Fall 2019 campaign on a high note Saturday morning, registering a pair of strong finished at the 2019 IC4A/ECAC Cross Country Championships at Van Cortlandt Park in The Bronx, NY.
The Saints' women's team finished in a program record third place (92 points) out of 18 competing teams, while the men placed fifth (151 points) , good for their second-highest finish ever.
"I'm really pleased with how both teams closed out our season today," Head Coach John Kenworthy said. "After disappointing NCAA Regional results, I challenged both teams to refocus and put together high level races this weekend.
Competing in a cross country competition for the final time while donning the Green and Gold, senior Evans Kibet placed fifth individually in record-breaking fashion, with his time of 25:20 in the men's 8k race good for the team's fastest ever at Van Cortlandt park, which has been home to races Siena has entered in for over 40 years.
The Nandi Hills, Kenya native was one of three runners on the men's side to finish inside the top-40 individually and earn All-ECAC honors, with freshman Aidan Gillooley (14th, 25:45) and senior Michael Rautter (38th, 26:13) also doing so.
A program-best six women's runners earned also earned All-ECAC accolades, led by junior Monica Strain's eighth place individual finish (18:26). Sophomore Olivia Lomascolo finished in 12th (18:33) in the women's 5k, while senior Sydney Johnson (17th, 18:46) senior Camryn Johnson (25th, 18:57) and freshman Sophia Vinciguerra (36th, 19:07) rounded out the top-5 women's finishers for the Saints.
"Having six women and three men finish All-East / Top-40 and improving on both team finishes from last year, I'm confident that this was the bounce back day that we were looking for," Kenworthy added. "It was certainly a good way to end a very successful fall."
Siena's track athletes will now transition into indoor track season, which is set to begin in January 2020.
