Bulls Finish Ahead of Regionally Ranked Programs & Set Personal Records at Paul Short Invite

Saturday, October 5

Bethlehem, PA

9:30am

University at Buffalo

Paul Short Invite

Photo by: Leo Lin

Bulls Finish Ahead of Regionally Ranked Programs & Set Personal Records at Paul Short Invite

10/5/2024 4:17:00 PM | Cross Country

BETHLEHEM, PENN. – The University at Buffalo cross country program competed at Lehigh University's 50th annual Paul Short Invitational, one of the nation's premiere cross country meets.

The Buffalo men finished ahead of several regionally ranked programs, including UMBC, Bucknell, Central Connecticut, Monmouth and Rutgers, placing 21st of 44 teams.

Noah Brightman (74th, 24:35.9) and Evan Hilbert (75th, 24:36.4) finished inside the top 75 runners in the field of 366 student-athletes, posting personal record times. Junior Jacob Brink was next to place for the Bulls, taking 139th with a time of 25:00.7. Junior Matt Gensel (183rd, 25:19.0) and sophomore Gabriel Cornfield (213th, 25:30.4) rounded out the Buffalo top-five, with Cornfield posting a personal record time. Freshman Collin Stafford was the sixth Bulls' runner to place, finishing just behind Cornfield with a time of 25:31.4 (217th).

"The men had a solid race for where we are in our training cycle," said Men's Distance Coach Todd Witzleben. "We were more aggressive through the first mile than I anticipated. We still ended up beating some regionally ranked programs. This race tells us what we need to work on as we approach the championship season."

The Bulls also used the men's open 8k as an opportunity to train runners, a race that did not feature team scores. Freshmen Vincent Guaresimo (39th, 25:12.7) and Hayden Parks (60th, 25:28.4) both placed inside the top 60 runners in the field of 588 student-athletes. Both times were new personal records. Junior Cory Demo placed 85th (25:43.4) and sophomore Chris Turner finished 94th (25:51.2), putting four Buffalo runners inside the top 100.

In the women's gold 6k race, the Bulls finished 11th of 35 teams. Lacey Danilovitz headlined the Buffalo women, finishing 23rd with a new personal best time of 22:10.1 in the field of 286 runners. Danilovitz has been the Bulls' top finisher in all three races she's competed in this season. Bronagh Cassidy was next to place for the Bulls, finishing 34th with a season-best time of 22:11.1. Graduate transfer Eliza Medearis (76th, 22:57.1), junior Vassi Klock (107th, 23:15.6) and sophomore Megan Smith (113th, 23:23.2) rounded out the top five for the Bulls. Smith's time was a new personal best.

"The women competed very well in the collegiate brown race, with Danilovitz leading the way," said Program Director and Head Coach Vicki Mitchell. "Lacey improved her time from last year's race here by one minute and 16 seconds. Cassidy had a strong second-place finish, closing on several competitors over the last kilometer. We placed well but still have quite a bit of potential for growth."

In the women's open 6k, junior Alexandra Cowley was the first Buffalo runner to place, finishing 141st with a personal record time of 23:44.4 in the field of 488 student-athletes. Freshman Averianna Altieri also had a personal best time, placing 196th with a time of 24:16.3.

All results can be accessed here.

The Bulls will next compete on October 19th at the Canisius Alumni Classic, a meet close to home right at Delaware Park in North Buffalo. The first race is set to begin at 12 pm that Saturday.

For all the latest on UB men's and women's cross country, follow the program on X (@UB_XCTF), Instagram (@BullsTFXC), and Facebook ("Buffalo Track & Cross Country").

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