The State University of New York at New Paltz cross country team kicked off its season Friday at the Vassar Season Starter, competing against the host Brewers, Stevens Institute of Technology, The Sage Colleges and Bard College.
 
The Hawks came in second overall on men's side, following Vassar College, while the women finished third overall behind the Brewers and the Ducks, respectively.
 
The women ran together on the 3K course, crossing 18^th, 19^th, 20^th and 21^st overall with Vanessa Morgan (11 minutes, 50.8 seconds), Emily Cavanagh (11:51.2), Cassandra Williams (11:51.5) and Clara Flores-Reinginger (11:51.8) leading the way for SUNY New Paltz. Julia Eddy (12:30.2), Amanda Engrassia (12:43.4), Mary Breckenridge (12:53.0), Diana Testa (13:27.9) and Brenna O'Brien (13:36.0) rounded out the rest of the group.
 
Meanwhile, Stephen Smith and junior transfer Matt Whitworth led the men on the 4K course, as both finished in the top-10 with times of 13:15.5 and 13:15.8, respectively. Connor Van Riper and Jack Wilson each landed in the top-15 with times of 13:18.7 and 13:24.2, respectively. Barrett Celecki (13:33.6), Chris D'Antonio (14:08.0), Hans Hilson-Schneider (14:09.6), Brenda Sutta (14:16.6), Guy DeMarco (14:20.7), Ryan Tso (14:25.3), Tom Rizzo (14:35.4) and Skylar Rubin (15:06.4) rounded out the men's harriers.
 
The Vassar Season Starter was a warm-up race for the Hawks, who travel back to Vassar for the annual Ron Stonitsch Invitational Sept. 8. To stay up to date with everything #NPHawks be sure to follow on Twitter at @nphawks, Instagram and Facebook at @newpaltzhawks, and subscribe to our Youtube channel, New Paltz Hawks.