Although they finished seventh out of 16 teams at the New York State Championships, placing in the top half was little consolation for the women’s cross country team, which was disappointed with the outcome of the meet.
The results were even harder to swallow given the solid string of races that the team has put together to this point in the season.
“Neither myself nor the team were happy with the overall result,” Assistant Coach Ken Switnicki said. “We were hoping to finish fifth.”
The host team, SUNY Geneseo, literally ran away with the title as they posted just 29 points overall, placing all five scorers in the top 10.
St. Lawrence University was second with 61 points.
With 79 points, Ithaca College finished third.
SUNY Fredonia placed fourth with 123 points. SUNY Brockport came in fifth with 154 points.
Rochester Institute of Technology posted 187 points, moving them into sixth place. With 209 points, the Yellowjackets secured seventh place.
“They had such a good performance at the UAAs, I think they had a natural letdown,” Switnicki said.
Freshman Kellie Hasselwander once again led the way for the team, placing 32nd with a time of 19:51.6 for the six-kilometer race.
She was followed by freshman Stephanie Holowacz in 37th place. Holowacz posted a time of 19:59.1.
Junior Kate Pohlman was third for the team and 40th overall, as she crossed the line in 20:08.8. Placing 49th was freshman Louisa Slocum, who ran 20:30.9.
One second behind Slocum was freshman Sarah Hotaling, who finished fifth among the Yellowjackets and 51st overall with a time of 20:31.9.
Although they did not factor in the scoring, sophomore Rebecca Hayes and junior Jessica VanBinsbergen were close behind, finishing in 52nd and 54th place, respectively.
“Most of the ladies did not perform well,” Switnicki said. “They know that, and they are determined to have a different outcome this coming weekend.”
On Saturday the team will travel to St. Lawrence University where they will compete in NCAA Regional Championships, their final test of the 2004 cross country season.
“I have no doubt that they’ll rebound this weekend to finish the season on a high note,” Switnicki said.
Swidler can be reached at dswidler@campustimes.org.
