By Rachael Cataldo
Asst. Sports Editor
Junior standout Erin Reese led the Susquehanna women’s cross country team to a third-place finish at the 46th Dutchmen Invitational at Union Canal Tunnel Park on Saturday, Sept. 8.
Reese nearly broke the school record for a 5k race and finished third overall.
Reese clocked a time of 19:08.48 and was only four seconds off the record of 19:04.89 set by Heather Matta in 2005.
“I actually did not even know what the cross country 5k record was, but seeing how close I was, it definitely is a record that I will have my eyes set on to break,” Reese said.
Reese’s third-place finish was the top Landmark Conference finish in the race.
Sophomore Marissa Kleman finished in 24th place overall with a time of 20:21.96. Next to finish for the River Hawks was junior Alexa Pietrini in 41st place (21:28.95) followed by junior Katie Mac Mayer in 47th place (22:15.55.)
Reese was named the Landmark Conference Female Runner of the week for the second consecutive week.
“Next week will be crucial for the team as it will allow us to get in miles, hard workouts, weight lifting, and some rest,” Reese said. “Lock Haven is a fast course and a good course for PR’s.”
Senior Ciaran Fisher led the Susquehanna men’s cross country team to a fourth place finish at the Dutchmen Invitational on Saturday.
Fisher clocked a time of 26:48.66 on the 8k course with a fourth place finish overall.
Freshman Jack Warehime finished in 15th place with a time of 27:43.21 in his first college 8k race. Warhime was the first freshman to cross the finish line in the race.
Sophomore Jake Menchey shaved almost 30 seconds off his career-best for an 8k. Menchey finished in 40th place overall with a time of 29:13.69.
Freshman Max Oswald was the fourth River Hawk to cross the finish line in 41st place (29:14.45.)
“As a team, we would like to improve on our gap between our first through fifth runners, so we are more of a pack and have a better chance of placing better as a team,” sophomore runner Lenny Bolinsky said.
The men’s cross country team will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 22, alongside the women’s team, at the Lock Haven Invitational.
