Posted: Nov 01, 2014
BROCKPORT, N.Y. - The 2014 State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships were held on the campus of The College at Brockport during a cold and rainy day. The Geneseo Knights won both events barely edging out Cortland in the men's race. This is the 14th SUNYAC title overall for both the Geneseo men's and women's teams. It is the fourth consecutive crown and 14th in 15 years for the women and the fifth in six years for the men.
In the men's race Geneseo led the pack with 54 points, squeaking by Cortland's 58 and the two teams were followed by Oneonta (84), Fredonia (112), New Paltz (124), Oswego (180), Brockport (194), Plattsburgh (207), Buffalo State (216) and Potsdam (330).
In the women's race Geneseo dominated the field with eight of the top 15 finishers. The Knights finished with 19 points and were followed by Oneonta (72), Cortland (80), New Paltz (132), Brockport (145), Plattsburgh (156), Fredonia (179), Oswego (223), Buffalo State (257) and Potsdam (330).
Nick Marcantonio and Jarred Iacovelli of Cortland crossed the line hand in hand, simultaneously to the naked eye but a mere fraction of a second difference to the official clock. Marcantonio finished the eight kilometer course in 25:37.3 and Iacovelli in 25:37.4. Brockport's Gary Messina was a few seconds behind and was followed closely by Mike Scher of New Paltz and Mitch Ryan of Cortland.
Marcantonio, Iacovelli, Messina, Scher and Ryan all earned First-Team All-Conference honors by placing in the top five. Second-Team All-Conference honors go to Alfredo Mazzuca (Geneseo), Anthony Lupia (Oneonta), Zakk Hess (Fredonia), Cohen Miles-Rath (Geneseo), and Dave Lukas (New Paltz). The Third-Team All-Conference is Jean-Paul Scott (Oneonta), Isaac Garcia-Cassani (Geneseo), Alex Burks (Geneseo), Matt
Byrnes (Geneseo) and Brendan Wortner (Geneseo).
Five male runners were added to the group of current Hall of Fame members. Joining Marcantonio, Iacovelli, and Miles Rath are newcomers Messina, Scher, Ryan, Hess and Wortner. To earn the honor of a SUNYAC Cross Country Hall of Famer, a runner must finish in the top five one year, top 10 two years or place within the top 15 three years. The Rookie of the Year award goes to Garcia-Cassani, as he was the top first year runner amongst the bunch.
Seniors Cassie Goodman of Geneseo and Rachel Malone of Brockport were in a battle from the initial shot of the starting gun. Goodman took the top spot with a 21:58.2 time and runner-up Malone finished the race in 22:08.9. Marissa Bellusci, Joanna Castrogivann, Jackie Huben and Alyssa Knott of Geneseo were the next four to finish the race.
Earning the honor of First-Team All-Conference for the women were the top five runners Goodman, Malone, Bellusci, Castrogivann and Huben. The Second-Team All-Conference members are Alyssa Knott (Geneseo), Alyssa Drapeau (Oneonta), Ashton Hughes (Geneseo), Catherine Ehmann (Plattsburgh) and Marielle Genovesi (Oneonta). On the Third-Team All-Conference are Kristen Homeyer (Geneseo), Kailyn Balzano (Cortland), Terisa Woych (New Paltz), Keira Wood (Geneseo) and Michelyn Little (Cortland).
The current members of the SUNYAC Cross Country Hall of Fame include Goodman, Malone, Huben, Knott and Wood. They are joined by Bellusci, Castrogivann and Hughes. Homeyer took home the Rookie of the Year award by placing as the top freshman.
Men's Team Finishes
Geneseo (54)
Cortland (58)
Oneonta (84)
Fredonia (112)
New Paltz (124)
Oswego (180)
Brockport (194)
Plattsburgh (207)
Buffalo State (216)
Potsdam (330)
Women's Team Finishes
Geneseo (19)
Oneonta (72)
Cortland (80)
New Paltz (132)
Brockport (145)
Plattsburgh (156)
Fredonia (179)
Oswego (223)
Buffalo State (257)
Potsdam (330)
