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CONTACT: Matt Palisin,
Sports Information Dept.

DATE: Wed., Aug. 29, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cross Country

Harriers open at Buffalo State meet

FREDONIA, N.Y. -- The Fredonia State cross country teams open their seasons Saturday at the Buffalo State Invitational.

The women are coming off a second-place finish in the SUNYAC in 2006 and qualified for a bid to nationals –-- a first in the program’s history. The men finished sixth out of 11 teams at the conference meet.

Despite a banner season, the women will be pushed to the limit to duplicate last season’s success after losing three of the top six runners to graduation.

“Rachel McNamara and Aimee Milks were two of the best runners in the program’s history,” head coach Nolan Swanson said. “It will be difficult for the freshmen to cover that loss.”

On the plus side, last season’s top harrier, Jessica Bennett, returns to the squad. Bennett is also coming of a spring track season that saw her earn a conference championship in the steeplechase.

The relatively young group features only one senior, Samantha Ellwood. Ellwood consistently finished in the top five for the Devils and will be relied on for her steady performance again this year.

Swanson feels that last year’s season will be tough to duplicate, but there is plenty of talent. “We are capable of finishing in the top 10 in the region,” he said.

The men finished in the middle of the pack in 2006, but Swanson sees plenty of potential for a stronger showing this fall.

The Devils' top runner in 2005, Andy Forma, returns to the squad after sitting out last fall due to injury. Two years ago, he finished sixth at the SUNYAC meet. His return to form remains to be seen, but if healthy, he will provide a boost to the team. He won a SUNYAC championship in the men's steeplechase this past spring.

The Devils did lose three runners from last year, but a strong freshman class is expected to pick up the slack. “We may have six to eight freshmen that may be in and out of our top five," Swanson said, "but the talent is there and we expect our three-four-five runners to finish higher.”

“The adjustment from 5K in high school to 8 K (in college) may take some time, and we be may inconsistent at the beginning, but we will be better.”

Swanson also expects sophomore Tom Williams to grow into a leader. Williams finished in the top 10 in New York state in high school, and should improve after making the transition as a freshman last fall. “He will be our number one runner ... for now. We also expect him to grow into a leadership role.”

Swanson points to the Geneseo Invitational, the squads' fifth meet, on September 29 as marker for success for both squads. “We will have a taper week leading up to it," he said. "It's a big meet with a lot of teams, and we should see where we stand at that point.”

The Devils lone home meet is on September 15 at Lake Erie State Park. The SUNYAC championship at Potsdam is Oct. 20.

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