The Rensselaer cross-country team recently competed in the New York State Collegiate Track Conference Cross Country Championships in Oswego, New York, on Saturday, after coming off a weekend of rest. Both the men and the women’s teams put forth a strong effort and placed well among the fifteen competing teams.
The men opened the day’s events, racing an 8K on the flat, wet, and windy Oswego course. They earned a new state ranking of sixth place, improving their previous ranking of seventh by using their powerful pack running to score 188 points.
Senior Duane Crammond placed 29th overall to lead the scoring runners in 26:57. Crammond was followed by juniors Keith Weiss, placing 34th in 27:03 and Doug Dukes, placing 38th in 27:13. Next to finish was senior Travis Bashaw, in 27:22, earning 44th place. Completing the scoring pack in under 30 seconds came sophomore Bob Baniak in 47th place with a time of 27:26.
After commending the team effort at the state meet, captain Crammond expressed his hopes to “pull together as a team and move up for regionals next week.”
The women’s captain, Rebecca Rosenberg-Beran, expressed similar sentiments about being excited for the regional meet after gaining confidence from the team’s performance on the State meet 5K course. The women improved their state ranking from 10th to fifth place during the single race in which they earned a combined score of 170 points.
Rosenberg-Beran, a junior, came in eighth place with a time of 19:11 and once again led the team effort. Next to finish for the lady Red Hawks were juniors Cara O’Toole in 28th place with 20:00, Jess Orsak in 33rd place with 20:11, and Claire Lears in 44th place with a time of 20:34. Finishing up the scoring pack was freshman Cate McCullough in 67th place, running the time of 21:11.
Both teams are pleased with their strong performances at the state meet which earned them new, improved state rankings. They also hope to improve once again in next weekend’s NCAA Regional meet at Washington Crossing State Park, New Jersey.
