Williamsville, N.Y. - On Saturday, the St. Thomas Aquinas Cross Country program competed in the East Coast Conference Championships, which were hosted by Daemen University at Bassett Park in Western New York. STAC's men's squad posted a fourth place finish in the 8K race, while the women's team placed fifth in the 5K race.
For the Men, Caleb Rayle was the top finisher on the day for the with a time of 28:22.2 (23rd place). Following Rayle in order of finish were: Pedro Mulero Martinez (28:27.5), James Polisena (28:49.1), John Ciuffo (29:09.1), Charlie Moore (29:29.7), Colin Graham (30:14.3), Kyle Koenig (30:48.5), Ian Forsyth (36:41.4) and Luke Skardinski (38:08.2).
Meanwhile on the women's side, Zoe Merryman was the top finisher on the morning with a time of 19:13.4 (9th place). Following Merryman in order of finish were: Ciara Durcan (20:09.7), Isabella Esposito-Farino (20:57.7), Sophonie Michael (21:37.4), Emma Neil (21:55.6), Samantha Frisbee (22:11.3), Ciara Doyle (22:57.4), Kristen Kennedy (23:49.6) and Veronica Valentik (24:06.5).
Following the men's and women's races, the East Coast Conference presented their annual league awards. Spartan Zoe Merryman took home Second Team All-Conference honors for her exceptional efforts during the regular season and in the ECC Championship meet.
Zoe Merryman with ECC Commissioner Jessica Grasso
STAC next competes at the NCAA Division II East Regional Cross Country Championships, which will be hosted by Roberts Wesleyan University on November 9 at the Matt St. James Cross Country Trails in Rochester, New York.