Letchworth State Park, N.Y. — The Houghton University cross country teams competed in rainy conditions Friday at the 44th annual Mike Woods Geneseo Invitational at Letchworth State Park, using the meet to continue preparing for the upcoming championship season.
The Highlanders had a quick turnaround after hosting their own invitational the previous Saturday. According to the coaching staff, the teams used Friday's competition to get in quality tempo work as they build toward the championship portion of the season.
One highlight came from Mae Ennis, who was pulled along by the women's pack to a season-best performance.
"I may not have run my best time ever, but I have never felt so loved," Ennis said.
The Houghton women finished 17th in the championship 6-kilometer race with 500 points. Jenna Binney led the Highlanders, placing 134th in 26 minutes, 12.5 seconds. McKenzie Ennis finished 135th in 26:12.7, followed by Emberlynn Nolt and Risa Palmer, who tied for 136th and 137th, respectively, in 26:12.9. Aria Larson placed 138th in 26:12.9 to complete Houghton's scoring five.
Amy Collins finished 139th in 26:13.2, while Miranda Lyon placed 158th in 27:21.9. Peyton Kellogg and Delaney Grant finished together in 160th and 161st, respectively, in 27:27.8. Gwenna Haas placed 163rd in 27:53.6, and Hope Castellucci finished 174th in 30:00.0.
The Highlanders' top five runners finished within 0.5 seconds of one another, demonstrating the team's pack-running approach.
The Houghton men placed 13th in the championship 8-kilometer race with 461 points. Henry Sardina led the Highlanders, finishing 78th in 27:49.7. Luke Ellis was next in 101st in 28:15.8, followed by Connor Little in 120th in 28:40.7.
Evan Geer placed 142nd in 29:10.5, and Elijah Strickland finished 150th in 29:13.9 to complete Houghton's five scoring runners. Kurt Akins was 151st in 29:19.0, and Ewan McIlhinney finished 155th in 29:31.5.
The men's top five finished within 1 minute, 24.3 seconds of one another. Both teams will look to build on Friday's effort as they turn their attention to the championship season ahead, with the Empire 8 Championships set for October 31.
