Every year, cross-country team alumni are given an opportunity to return to campus and compete against the current cross-country team. A hilly 4.5-kilometer race determines whether the current team can handle the “old guard,” creating a unique competition that brings former teammates back together while giving the current Jays a chance to defend their home course. The 13-year tradition has become a favorite for current team members and alumni alike, combining strong competition with camaraderie.
The men’s team entered this year’s competition looking to continue its streak after narrowly defeating the alumni 26-29 in last year’s contest. Meanwhile, the Lady Jays looked to maintain their dominant win streak against the alumni after winning last year’s competition 17-44, with all five of their scoring runners finishing in the top six.
The course itself provides a significant challenge for both groups. The 4.5-kilometer course consists of three similar loops around the college’s solar panel array.
The first two loops include both the upper portion of the course and a loop around the solar panels. The upper portion is significantly hillier and more challenging, which forces runners to navigate steep climbs and uneven footing.
The third loop removes the upper section and remains around the solar panel array, providing a relatively flat finish. Despite the challenging terrain, athletes from both teams consistently put together strong performances with the goal of taking home the title.
In a significant turn from last year, the men dominated the alumni, sweeping the top six positions and taking eight of the top ten spots. Senior Will Inglis led the way, claiming the alumni meet title with an astonishing time of 14:00.2. First-year Henshaw and senior Derek Kendig followed closely behind. Junior Frank Conte and sophomore Michael Beach rounded out the top five, giving the men’s team a perfect score of 15.
Devon Soto was the first alumni runner to cross the finish line, placing seventh overall with a time of 15:34. While the alumni were unable to replicate last year’s close result, their return provided another opportunity for current runners to test themselves against former members of the program.
The women’s race told a similar story.
Addi Kleinle claimed victory for the second consecutive year, separating herself from the field to win on the home course with a time of 17:52.2. Senior Keely Fitzgerald followed in second at 18:17.5, while first-year Kenzianna Flores took third in 18:37. First-years Katie Jo Gallaher and Lily Ahrens secured fifth and eighth-place finishes respectively, rounding out the Jays’ top five scorers. Maureen Bosak was the first alumni finisher, taking fourth overall.
With the alumni meet now in the books, both the men’s and women’s teams will turn their attention to their next competition at the Dickinson Long/Short Invitational on Sept. 12.
