Women sixth, men eighth at XC Championships

HOLLAND, Mich. – On a picture perfect fall morning, the Albion College cross country teams competed at the MIAA Championships, hosted by Hope College. The women's team finished sixth as the men took eighth.

The day started with the men's race, an 8K at Three Fires Golf Club. A pair of freshmen led the way for the men's squad, as Logan Vining was the first Albion runner to finish, while Alexander Hammond was right behind. Vining ran a 26:30.6, as Hammond shattered his PR with a new time of 26:32.3.

Crossing the finish line next for the Brits was Josiah Graddick, who put together a tremendous finish. The sophomore clocked a 27:23.2, also a new personal best by nearly a full minute.

Connor Clark had a marvelous second half of the race, finishing with a time of 27:53.1. The mark was also a new PR for the sophomore, joining a list of Albion runners with a stellar race.

With a time of 28:10.8, Israel Aquino battled his way through the meet, logging a new best time by over 30 seconds. Junior Ruark Wicka was right behind Aquino, recording a time of 28:15.4.

Houston Bowen Jr. (28:34.9) competed in his final MIAA Championship race, as Dalton Weber completed his first in 28:53.5. With a time of 29:07.3, Heath LaPointe was next for Albion.

Rounding out the field for the Britons were Matt Record (29:33.5), Adan Rojas (29:35.0), Robert Belf III (29:38.9), Juan Lopez (30:01.7), Dallas Wilson (30:18.0) and Chris Hernandez (36:37.6).

Junior Fatima Cruz led the women's team with a stunning new personal best time of 23:37.7. Also recording a new PR was freshman Cassandra Gallagher, who crossed the finish line with a time of 23:57.6.

A few steps behind was Albion's lone senior Helena Abbott, running 24:00.3. Olivia DeGraaf was next for Albion, recording a solid time of 24:23.2 in her first race in nearly a month.

Freshman Taylor Adams clocked a new PR time of 25:57.2. Also recording a new personal best in the Championship race was Serena Arnold. The sophomore crossed at the 26:26.7 mark.

Veronica Paniccia (27:16.8), Melanie Symons (27:24.5) and Megan Chipman (28:32.3) were the final three Albion runners.

On Nov. 11, the teams will compete at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional with a trip to Nationals on the line. The race will be held in Akron, Ohio.

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Players Mentioned

Israel Aquino: Sophomore

Houston Bowen Jr.: Senior

Connor Clark: Sophomore

Josiah Graddick: Sophomore

Chris Hernandez: Junior

Heath LaPointe: Sophomore

Juan Lopez: Senior

Matt Record: Senior

Ruark Wicka: Junior

Dallas Wilson: Junior

Robert Belf: Freshman

Alex Hammond: Freshman

Players Mentioned

Israel Aquino
: Sophomore

Houston Bowen Jr.
: Senior

Connor Clark
: Sophomore

Josiah Graddick
: Sophomore

Chris Hernandez
: Junior

Heath LaPointe
: Sophomore

Juan Lopez
: Senior

Matt Record
: Senior

Ruark Wicka
: Junior

Dallas Wilson
: Junior

Robert Belf
: Freshman

Alex Hammond
: Freshman