Herkimer Cross Country

News

September 28, 2008

Herkimer County Community College had another successful weekend in the running world! The men's and women's cross country teams participated in the 2008 Falling Leaves Road race in Utica, New York this past Sunday. The 5K race yielded 643 runners ranging in age from 8 to 87.

Both the men's and women's team were recognized for their accomplishments! Kathleen Ozog finished 2nd in her age group in a time of 24:30 with an average mile time of 7:53. Only 17 seconds behind her finishing 3rd in the age group was teammate Melissa Cleeton in a time of 24:47 and an average mile of 7:59. Other finishers include Tammy Carney in 28:47 (9:16) and Amanda Link in 29:31 (9:30).

Jake Raner led the men with an overall time of 18:20 and a mile split of 5:54. His efforts yielded him a 3rd place finish in his age group and a 13th place finish in the race overall! Close on his heels finishing just five back in 18th place was teammate Ian Sanchez in 18:51 with a mile time of 6:00. Other finishers include Jose Maldonado in 20:40 (6:40) and Glen Kelly in 21:42 (6:59).

The team next races top NJCAA Division III competition on Wednesday, October 8th at SUNY Delhi.

September 19, 2008

Herkimer had another successful meet hosted by Oneonta State tonight, Friday, September 19, 2008. Among the competition was Region III rivals SUNY Delhi and Mohawk Valley Community College, as well as four year competition Plattsburgh, Cortland, Oneonta, Hamilton, Mansfield, and Hartwick. The air was cool and the running conditions were great.

The men's team was led by freshman Ian Sanchez. Sanchez has proven to be a leader on this team and if he can withstand injury he should prove to be a threat in the Region III meet. Sanchez finished the 6K run in 88th place with a time of 22:14 and an outstanding average mile split of 5:58. Close behind in 99th place was freshman Jake Raner running a respectable 22:57 (6:10), Eric Green in 101st place running 23:11 (6:14) and sophomore Nick Bloom in 104th place running 23:25 (6:17). This outstanding split could be the difference in the Mountain Valley Conference and Regional meet. Other finishers include Jose Maldonado finishing in 112th with a time of 24:38 (6:37) and Glen Kelly finishing 119th at 27:25 (7:22).

Nick DeLango and Brian Majka did not compete today due to injury.

The men beat out four year Hartwick (266) coming in eighth place with a score of 260.

The women's team continues to be led by sophomore Katie Ozog finishing 81st in the meet with an outstanding 21:53 finish giving her a mile split of 7:50. Katie has brought her mile pace down by 8 seconds. Three spots behind was sophomore Melissa Cleeton finishing in 84th with a time of 22:09 (7:56). Other finishers include Tammy Carney finishing in 91st at 26:31 (9:29), Amanda Link finishing in 92nd at 26:33 (9:30), Angela Haskins finishing 93rd at 26:48 (9:36) and Elizabeth Kelly finishing 95th at 28:49 (10:19).

Deana Kertesz did not compete today due to injury.

Both teams will compete in the Falling Leaves competition next Sunday, September 28th in Utica.

September 17, 2008

For the second week the women's cross country team has received National recognition. After a challenging weekend at Oswego, against all four year competition, the girls have been ranked 7th in the Nation jumping 3 spots since last week. "If we can withstand injury, I think we'll continue to improve. You're only as good as your competition that's why we chose to run against the bigger schools" coach DelMedico said.

September 13, 2008

The men came in 12th overall with a score of 382 beating out Morrisville (396) and Wells College (416).

Mexico High School alum and HCCC freshman, Jake Raner led the men's team with a great race! He finished the 6K course 92nd overall with a time of 22:45. His mile split was 6:07. Not too far behind him was freshman Eric Green coming in at 113th with a time of 23:30 giving him a mile split of 6:19. Veteran Nick Bloom was only 5 runners behind Green finishing 118th with a time of 23:55 and a mile split of 6:25. Other finishers include Brian Majka 134th 25:18 (6:48), Jose Maldonado 136th at 25:20 (6:48), and Glen Kelly 147th at 26:11 (7:02).

Ian Sanchez and Nick DeLango did not compete due to injury.

The women's team was led for the second week by sophomore Kathleen Ozog finishing in 116th place with a time of 22:16 and a mile split of 7:58. Only a few spots back was teammate Melissa Cleeton finishing in 122nd place in a time of 22:31 with a mile split of 8:04. Other finishers include Amanda Link in 145th with a time of 25:55 (9:16), Tammy Carney in 147th place with a time of 27:20 (9:47) and Deana Kertesz right behind her in 148th place with a time of 27:38 (9:53)

The women's team came in 14th place overall with a score of 429 beating out Morrisville (no score available).

The Men's and Women's team will face off next on Friday, September 19th at SUNY Oneonta.

September 10, 2008

Men's & Women's Cross Country Teams Achieve National Ranking

Herkimer County Community College's men's and women's cross country teams achieved a national ranking after their season opener. After running against Division I Syracuse University and Colgate along with top Region III competitors Mohawk Valley Community College and SUNY Delhi, both the men's and women's teams have been polled tenth in the nation.

The men's team is led by freshman Ian Sanchez, Ossining, NY and has a strong group of first year runners including: Jake Raner, Mexico NY, Jose Maldonado, Ilion NY, Brian Majka, New York Mills NY, and Eric Green, Millerton NY. Second year runners include Nick Bloom, Chittenango NY, Glen Kelly, Queens NY, and Nick DeLango, Pawling NY. Head coach Julie DelMedico said "the chemistry between these runners is great and really seems to help on longer, more difficult practices as well as during meets. I think that by the end of the year the split times will be really incredible."

The women are led by sophomores Kathleen Ozog, Ilion NY and Melissa Cleeton, Liverpool NY, Amanda Link, North Patchogue NY, Tammy Carney, Herkimer, and freshman Deena Kertesz, Pine Bush, NY. "The women are still getting into the swing of things after a rocky start, so to be ranked this early in the season is great. I can't wait to see where we stand once we really utilize our potential," said DelMedico.

The team's next meet takes place Saturday, September 13 at the Oswego Invitational.

September 6, 2008

Here are the results of the HCCC's Men's and Women's Cross Country opener at the 14th annual Harry Lang Invitational hosted by Colgate University:

Men 6K Run

• 1st: Syracuse University (19 points)
• 2nd: Colgate University (44 points)
• 3rd: SUNY Delhi (76 points)
• 4th: Nazareth College (96 points)
• 5th: Mohawk Valley (107 points)
• 6th: St. Bonaventure (125 points)
• 7th: HCCC (163 points)

Herkimer's men's team was led by freshman Ian Sanchez. Sanchez finished the 6K race in 49th place with a time of 22 minutes and 52 seconds giving him an average mile time of 6:08. Not far behind were his teammates Sophomore Nick Bloom and Freshman Jake Raner finishing 62nd and 63rd with a time of 24:05 and 24:06 respectively giving them a mile pace of 6:27. Eric Green came in 68th at 24:22 (6:32 mile pace) Brian Majka come in 74th with a time of 25:52 (6:56 mile pace), Glen Kelly came in 78th at 28:40 (7:41 mile pace), Jose Maldonado came in 77th, with a time of 27:18 and a mile pace of 7:19, and Nick DeLango finished 82nd at 32:43 with a mile pace of 8:46.

Women 4200 Meter Run

• 1st: Syracuse University (22 points)
• 2nd: Colgate University (33 points)
• 3rd: Nazareth College (75 points)
• 4th: Mohawk Valley (86 points)
• 5th: St. Bonaventure University (118 points)
• 6th: SUNY Delhi (135 points)
• 7th: HCCC (161 points)

Herkimer's women's team was led by Sophomore newcomer Kathleen Ozog. Ozog finished the 4200 meter race in 52nd place with a time of 22:09 giving her an average mile time of 8:29. Sophomore veteran Melissa Cleeton wasn't too far behind coming in 61st with a time of 23:01 (average mile 8:49). Sophomore Amanda Link came in 70th at 28:19 (10:51 mile time) teammate Tammy Carney finished shortly after in 71st at 28:49 (11:02 mile time) and newcomer Deana Kertesz finished the race in 73rd at 29:29 (11:17 mile time).

September 5, 2008

This Saturday, September 6th, marks the start of HCCC's Men's and Women's Cross Country season. The teams will participate in the 14th Annual Harry Lang Invitational hosted by Colgate University. The competition includes both Mountain Valley Conference rivals - SUNY Delhi and Mohawk Valley, as well as top Division I four year schools - Syracuse University, St. Bonaventure, Colgate and Nazereth, proving to be a challenging opener.