Cross Country Competes at MAC Championships

Saturday, October 30

Ypsilanti, MI

M: 8k - 11 a.m. / W: 6k - Noon

Mid-American Conference Championships

Cross Country Competes at MAC Championships

10/30/2021 3:00:00 PM | Cross Country

YPSILANTI, Mich. – The University at Buffalo cross country team participated in the 2021 Mid-American Conference Championships on Saturday morning. The men's team finished fifth with a score of 146. The women's team finished 10^th with 243 points.

Leading the way for the Bulls on the men's side was Scott Loforte who finished in 22^nd-place in 25:19.2. Ryan Buszy was not far behind as he finished in 29^th-place in 25:35.4. Armani Merlino (25:38.7, 31^st-place), Thomas Flannery (25:46.6, 34^th-place), and William Marchant (25:54.5, 37^th-palce) rounded out the top-five for the Bulls. Also competing for the Bulls were Oscar Vazquez (26:14.3, 42^nd-place) and Alex Hislop (26:15.5, 43^rd-place).

On the women's side, graduate transfer Anya Schmitt was the first to cross the line for the Bulls. She finished in 22:00.2 for 24^th-place. Junior Alexia Hecico was the second Bull to cross the finish line. Hecico finished in 22:13.1 good for 32^nd-place. Riley Jones (22:23.6, 37^th-place), Meghana Caron (23:28.8, 82^nd-place), and Lily Meek (23:24.0, 85^th-place) complete the Bulls' top-five finishers. Jade Dennis (24:12.0, 89^th-place) and Heidi Eberhardt (24:21.1, 93^rd-place) also competed.

"We went into today expecting strong battles with all of the MAC schools," stated Head Coach Vicki Mitchell. "The teams in the MAC rise up and bring it on MAC day; it's an incredible conference. Our men gave it their all, but it was shy of our expectations with the fifth-place team outcome. Several schools simply outraced us today. For the women, it's a step forward from last year and we need to keep this momentum moving forward."

UP NEXT
The Bulls will compete at the NCAA Northeast Regionals on Friday, Nov. 12 in Boston, Mass. Boston College will be this year's host.

For news and updates about the UB cross country teams, follow them on Twitter and check the official website of the UB Bulls.

*MEN'S TEAM RESULTS* Eastern Michigan – 30 Toledo – 68 Miami (OH) – 87 Ohio – 101 BUFFALO – 146 Kent State – 155 Central Michigan – 164 Bowling Green – 195	*WOMEN'S TEAM RESULTS* Toledo – 32 Miami (OH) – 61 Akron – 92 Bowling Green – 136 Ohio – 155 Central Michigan – 166 Ball State – 195 Kent State – 220 Eastern Michigan – 225 BUFFALO – 243 Western Michigan – 269 Northern Illinois - 282
*MEN'S RESULTS* 22. Scott Loforte - 25:19.2 29. Ryan Buzby - 25:35.4 31. Armani Merlino - 25:38.7 34. Thomas Flannery - 25:46.6 37. William Marchant - 25:54.5 42. Oscar Vazquez - 26:14.3 43. Alex Hislop - 26:15.5	*WOMEN'S RESULTS* 24. Anya Schmitt - 22:00.2 32. Alexia Hecico - 22:13.1 37. Riley Jones - 22:23.6 82. Meghana Caron - 23:28.8 85. Lily Meek - 23:34.0 89. Jade Dennis - 24:12.0 93. Heidi Eberhardt - 24:21.1