Paul Smith's College Men & Women’s XC Team place 1st at the YSCC Meet at Concord, NH’s New Hampshire Technical Institute (NHTI) course
Date: October 23, 2010
First Time Ever – Paul Smith’s College Women Win XC meet

Sophomore Kyle Dash (Java Village, NY/Pioneer HS) won his first collegiate race of his career, with a 27:47 over the 5 mile course at the New Hampshire Technical Institute’s (NHTI) course in Concord, NH to pace the Paul Smith's College Bobcats to the Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) title. The flat and dry course enabled nearly all of the Paul Smith's College runners to establish season’s best times, and with five of the first ten men across the finish line, Paul Smith's College dominated the event. Ben Howard (JR: Sidney Center, NY/Sidney HS) placed fourth overall, in a time of 29:04, and was followed by Matt Piper (JR: Morrisville, VT: People’s Academy) in 29:11. Josh Buchanen (FR: Central Square, NY/Central Square HS) was the fourth Bobcat finisher, crossing the line in 29:33, for his first sub-thirty finish. Buchanen finished seventh overall, and was followed in ninth by Jacob Dillon (SR: Elbridge, NY/Jordan – Elbridge HS) in 29:50. Coach Jim Tucker said, “This is the first time in three seasons the Paul Smith's College harriers have had the top five competitors finish in less than 30 minutes, and to win a title at the same time is quite a bonus.”

Erik Kowalik (SO: Akron, NY/Akron HS) returned to the lineup after an ankle injury, and he finished in 30:39, while Justin Andrews (FR: Wading River, NY/Wading River HS) finished in 31:34. Jordan Peters (JR: West Rutland, VT/Rutland HS) has been a most pleasant surprise this season. He came out for the team after two years of getting his academics underway, and has really shown significant improvement through the season thus far. Jordan broke under 33 minutes for the first time, finishing in 32:57, placing 21st overall.

The Paul Smith's College men won the event with 21 points, followed by the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) with 53, and then NHTI in third with 56 points.

For the women, this was the team’s first victory since the re-birth of XC at Paul Smith's College in 2003. The women’s team finished second the previous three years at the Sunrise Conference Championship, so this victory was especially sweet for team captain, Ashley Comeau (SR: Kingston, MA/Silver Lake Regional HS). Ashley has been the team’s greatest cheerleader since her arrival to the campus; and yells equally loud for all of the opponents as well once she has finished. Liz Havelin (FR: Seneca Falls, NY/Mynderse Academy) was the first Paul Smith's College woman to finish, crossing the line in 28:51 in third place. Alexa Cosgro (FR: Plattsburgh, NY/Seton Catholic HS) was the second PSC finisher, taking fifth in a time of 29:14. Comeau finished in 30:03 for 7th; and Linnea Shumway (FR: Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua Academy) placed 10th overall in 32:04.

The women’s team was in a real battle with CCRI, as they held a slim lead following the first four finishers from the two teams. It came down to Jessica Champagne (SO: Sheldon, VT/BFA Fairfax HS) coming in 13th overall as the ninth scoring runner, finishing the 4 mile course in 36:04. CCRI’s fifth place finisher took sixteenth place, leaving Paul Smith's College with the championship. Paul Smith's College women’s team finished first with 32 points, while CCRI took second with 37, and NHTI third with 53 points. Meanwhile, Caitlyn Sparkes (FR: Baldwinsville, NY/Baldwinsville HS) rounded out the PSC finishers in a time of 42:35. NHTI was the third place team, garnering 53 points.


The Paul Smith's College cross country teams will be heading back to Concord, NH in two weeks for the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Nationals. From 2004 – 2006, the Paul Smith's College placed from third through fifth place at Nationals; and this year’s field looks to be the best ever, with twenty teams pre-registered.

Meanwhile, the XC team will