HOUGHTON, NY -- The Houghton cross country teams hosted the largest invitational ever held at the Field of Dreams course on Saturday. 401 athletes toed the line between the men's and women's races, represented by 22 total institutions. The weather was near perfect for long distance running, and the results were indicative of the favorable conditions, and level of competition. Both squads finished the day in 4th place amongst the large field. The men began the day at 11:00am with their second 8,000m race of the season. They averaged 26:17 for their top five runners, which is the 3rd best mark in program history, behind the 2023 and 2024 squads. Last year, at this event, the squad averaged 26:32. The Highlanders (Region #8) were bested by RIT (Region #3), Lock Haven (NCAA DII), and Misericordia (Mid-Atlantic Region #6). The women raced in their first 6,000m race of the season at 12:00pm. The Highlanders put three runners in the top 16 of the race. Misericordia (Mid-Atlantic Region #4) won the race, and the next three spots between top 10 Niagara ranked teams was fairly close. RIT (Region # 6) finished ahead of SUNY Brockport (Region #4). Houghton (Region #9) was just 11 points behind SUNY Brockport. The women's top five average of 23:09 is the #2 team in program history, behind the 2010 squad. 

Coach Hager spoke after the meet, "We really just went out and did everything we wanted to do today. Nothing in running happens on accident....so that's just where we are at right now, which is just awesome. These are typically results we've seen when we host the Empire 8 or Regional Championships on our course....weeks down the road. So today, I think we just saw highly motivated and excited groups of athletes go and take advantage of a day that was there for the taking. And for that, I'm very proud of them. What matters now, is that we go and replicate it, and ever exceed it in the weeks to come."

MEN (213 Finishers)
6th - Amos Bixler - 24:58
21st - Ben Allen - 25:53
49th - Luke Ellis - 26:46
53rd - Connor Little - 26:50
59th - Salim Ford - 26:57
63rd - Henry Sardina - 27:01
77th - Lincoln McGrath- 27:27

WOMEN (188 Finishers)
7th - Noelle Linenfelser - 22:21
14th - Emberlynn Nolt - 22:46
16th - Amy Collins- 22:52
28th - Aria Larson - 23:35
55th - Jenna Binney - 24:14
65th - Risa Palmer - 24:37
69th - Rachael Smith - 24:46

The Highlanders are competing next at the Connecticut College Invitational on 10/18.