GENEVA, N.Y. – The Wildcats posted an excellent finish in one of their final tune-ups before the NEAC Championship on November 2nd, which SUNYIT will host. Riding a 2nd-place finish by Derek Struck (Knox, N.Y. / Berne-Knox-Westerlo) and a 15th place finish by senior leader Dylan Parry (Voorheesville, N.Y. / Voorheesville), the Wildcats placed 3rd in the 14-team field.
Almost lost amongst Struck's continued success (the sophomore ran at a blistering 5:24-mile pace) was the emergence of senior Chris Wicks (Baldwinsville, N.Y. / C.W. Baker). Veterans of SUNYIT men's cross country always seem to improve steadily over their years on the team - a credit to head coach Billy Tylutki no doubt – and on Saturday Wicks was a prime example. The senior from Baldwinsville ran one of his best races, placing 18th in a competitive field while turning in a time of 28:27 on the 8k course, good for a 5:44-mile pace.
The Wildcats (91 points) finished behind SUNY-ESF in first with 37 points, and Clarkson in second with 47 points.
SUNYIT will hit the road for one more race this Saturday to prepare for the NEAC Championship the following week on Saturday, November 2nd. Race time for the championship is scheduled for 12:00 pm on the SUNYIT Cross Country Track.