Rochester, N.Y. - On Saturday, the St. Thomas Aquinas Cross Country program competed in the East Coast Conference Championships, which were hosted by Roberts Wesleyan College at the Matt St. James Cross Country Trails in Rochester. Both STAC squads posted fourth place finishes in their respective 8K and 5K races.
For the Men, James Polisena was the top finisher on the day for the with a time of 28:10.5 (24th place). Following Polisena in order of finish were: Nicholas Seitz (29:18.5), Charlie Moore (29:29.6), Alex Quillan (30:44.4), Kyle Koenig (30:51.2), John Ciuffo (31:04.9) and Ian Forsyth (32:18.6).
Meanwhile on the women's side, Zoe Merryman was the top finisher on the morning with a time of 18:54.2 (5th place). Following Merryman in order of finish were: Ciara Durcan (20:20.5), Samantha Frisbee (22:14.6), Isabella Esposito-Farino (22:15.4), Jacqueline Kelly (22:31.3), Kristen Kennedy (23:25.3), Emma Neil (23:48.7), Ciara Doyle (24:48.3), Veronica Valentik (24:50.4) and Nicole Gysin (25:36.8).
Following the men's and women's races, the East Coast Conference presented their annual league awards. Spartans Zoe Merryman took home both Rookie of the Year and First Team All-Conference honors for her exceptional efforts during the regular season and in the ECC Championship meet.
St. Thomas Aquinas will host its annual alumni race on Saturday, October 28 at Tallman Mountain State Park in Sparkill, N.Y.
The team next competes at the NCAA Division II East Regional Cross Country Championships, which will also be hosted by Southern New Hampshire University on November 4 at the Hopkington Fairgrounds in Hopkinton, New Hampshire.