ONEONTA, NY – The Alfred State men's cross-country team turned in a determined effort Saturday at the SUNYAC Championships, finishing eighth overall with 198 points against one of the deepest fields in conference history.

Junior Christian Wescott paced the Pioneers with an outstanding sixth-place finish, crossing the line in 26:20.5 to place among the elite runners in the conference. Wescott's performance placed him in the top six percent of the field and gave Alfred State a frontrunner capable of competing with SUNYAC's best.

Fellow junior Max Knight delivered another strong race for the Pioneers, finishing 30th overall in 27:25.7. Knight and Wescott provided Alfred State with a formidable one-two punch at the front of the pack and kept the Pioneers competitive throughout the afternoon.

Senior Mamadou Barry was the third scorer across the line for Alfred State, finishing 67th in 29:41.0. Freshmen Nick Yensan and Evan DeStefanis rounded out the scoring five, placing 72nd and 75th, respectively, with times of 29:55.6 and 29:59.4.

One of the biggest strengths for Alfred State was its team pack. The Pioneers' scoring five were separated by just 38.9, demonstrating the depth and consistency that helped the team secure its eighth-place finish. The young roster showed tremendous promise as two freshmen cracked the scoring lineup on the conference stage.

Just behind the scoring group, sophomore Nolan LeBaron finished 77th in 30:05.3 and freshman Ray Hagstrom was 80th in 30:09.5. Both runners played a key role in pushing competitors back in the team standings and provided valuable depth for the Pioneers.

Senior Grayson Montague crossed the line in 84th place with a time of 30:34.5, followed by freshman Will Lorenc in 85th at 30:46.1. Sophomore Liam Hudson placed 87th in 31:06.8, while freshman Tiernan Bodolai finished 90th in 31:21.5.

Freshman Bridger Dunstan recorded a time of 32:22.9 to finish 98th overall, and freshman Zach Garrow completed the Pioneers' Day in 101st place with a time of 32:53.9.

With Wescott leading the charge and a young core gaining valuable championship experience, the Pioneers showcased their depth and bright future against SUNYAC's top competition. Alfred State's blend of experienced leadership and emerging talent was on full display as the team closed out the conference championship season with a strong performance.

The Pioneers will return to action at the NCAA Niagara Regional Championships on Nov. 14. The men's race is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.