Bobcat Women's XC were paced by Wesley Burkit in the Vermont Tech Maple Syrup Challenge 5K

2022 Cross Country Team ~

Vermont Technical College Maple Syrup Challenge Invitational

Event Date: 10 September 2022

At the Vermont Technical College campus, Paul Smith's was again led by Wes Burkit who paced the team with a time of 21:54 over the 5K Maple Syrup Challenge.  Wes placed 18^th overall in a solid field dominated by Middlebury College.  In fact, only one of the top ten women was not from Middlebury, while 14 of the top twenty were all Panthers of Middlebury College.  NCAA Division II member, St. Michael's College placed second with 59 points, and Fitchburg State (MA) placed third with 86.  Castleton placed fourth with 146, followed by Norwich with 155 and Albany Pharmacy with 157.  Paul Smith's placed 7^th with 158. 

Ellen Haas placed 33^rd overall and was the second Bobcat to cross the finish line in 23:41, followed by Melody Ascioti in 26:13 in 46^th place.  Ellie Judice placed 57^th in 29:08 while Reese Covington placed 58^th in 29:12. 

The Paul Smith's College men's cross country team placed sixth in the Vermont Technical College Maple Syrup Challenge Cross Country Invitational with 170 points.  The team was paced by Logan Krahn (SO/Salem, NH) in 33:38, followed by Ryan Chiari (FR/Braintree, MA) in 34:03 and Alex Cameron (SR/Westport, MA) in 34:13.  Thirteen colleges and universities took part in this 8K men's race, paced by Middlebury College as they won, sweeping the top five positions and scoring the minimum 15 points, while placing 14 of the top twenty in the event.

St. Michael's College placed second with 59 points followed by Fitchburg State (MA) with 99 points.  This was by far the largest collegiate cross country invitational hosted by Vermont Tech, and the field of teams and athletes was a great opportunity for the Paul Smith's harriers.  For the Bobcat men, this was the first collegiate 8K of the season, and it was quite warm for September. 

PSC finished one point behind Castleton University, a noted achievement for the Bobcats.  Coach Jim Tucker stated, "The first three meets in September, the runners are still adding to their training base and adjusting to the collegiate 8K distance at a higher intensity than many of the runners are used to.  This year's team has such a broad range of summer mileage and talent, but all in all, they are great kids working hard once again.  I expect to see a great deal of growth and improved performances over the fall season, leading to the Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) championships in late October and then USCAA Nationals in Virginia Beach on November 10^th." 

Tucker continued to state, "The two Paul Smith's College teams are poised to be in good positions at the end of October when running in the YSCC Championships.  The teams have other runners who are currently paddling for the Marathon Canoe Team, while also training for the Nordic Ski Team season this winter.  The addition of a handful of these endurance athletes will surely add some depth and overall conditioning to what is already a very deep men's team and talented women's team."

Next weekend, the teams travel to SUNY Canton to compete in the Kangaroo Invitational on Saturday September 24th.  The men's 8K will begin at 11 AM, followed by the women in the 6K at noon.  The following weekend, the team will be conducting the annual Family Weekend 10K and Half Marathon starting at 8 AM at the entrance to the college.  Last year, several family members took part in the two distances, and enjoyed autumn running on the rural roads during our flaming leaves.

2022 Vermont Tech Maple Syrup Challenge Cross Country Race Results

Women's Team Scores                                             Men's Team Scores

1.  Middlebury               19                                          1.  Middlebury              15

2.  St. Mike's                59                                          2.  St. Mike's                59     

3.  Fitchburg                  84                                          3.  Fitchburg                  99

4.  Castleton                146                                          4.  Norwich                 101

5.  Norwich                 155                                          5.  Castleton                169

6.  Albany Pharmacy  157                                          6.  Paul Smith's           170

7.  Paul Smith's           158                                          7.  SUNY Canton       227

8.  NHTI                     225                                          8.  Vermont Tech        244

9.  MCLA                   238                                          9.  NVU – Lyndon      247

10. SUNY Canton      238                                          10. Dean College        172

11. Dean College        282                                          11. Clinton CC            275