October 29, 2005

GENEVA, N.Y.—The William Smith College cross country team finished second in the inaugural Cross Country Only Championships (CCOC) this afternoon at the Seneca Lake State Park. Clarkson University won both the individual and team titles.

In the 5-kilometer race, Daemen College turned in a third place showing. SUNY Potsdam, St. John Fisher College, and Wells College entered runners, but did not field a complete team.

Clarkson senior Kirstin Schillemat (Keene/Nelson, N.H.) won the individual crown, posting a time of 19:16. William Smith junior Leanne Roncolato (Meadville/Meadville, Pa.) was second, 16 seconds off the pace. Classmate Jennifer Strong (Honeoye/Honeoye, N.Y.) took fourth in 20:09, while senior Kate Chabot (Keene/Keene, N.H.) also earned a spot in the top-10, finishing ninth in the 33-runner field.

The CCOC is the brainchild of William Smith Cross Country Head Coach Jack Warner. The Herons extended invitations to compete in the inaugural event to every college in New York State that sponsors cross country, but not track and field.

The purpose of the event was to provide those programs a chance to measure themselves against similar programs, instead of competing against student-athletes that are coached all year long from cross country to indoor track to outdoor track.

Warner hopes the 2006 CCOC field will include more teams as word of the championship spreads.

Back to William Smith Cross Country