ONEONTA, NY – The Pioneers secured an eighth place finish out of nine teams with 216 points against a strong conference field

Senior Oli Kraynik turned in another outstanding performance to lead the Alfred State women's cross-country team at the SUNYAC Championships on Friday.

Kraynik was the story of the day for Alfred State, racing her way to a 17th-place finish overall in a time of 24:00.2. The senior placed among the top 20 percent of all competitors and established herself as one of the conference's top runners. Her aggressive performance at the front of the race gave the Pioneers a major boost and highlighted the leadership she has provided throughout the season.

Freshman Natalie Phillips continued her impressive debut campaign, crossing the finish line in 61st place with a time of 27:52.7. Fellow freshman Ava McLean was close behind, finishing 66th overall in 28:14.2 while serving as the Pioneers' crucial middle runner.

Sophomore Karah Blackwell delivered another determined effort, placing 79th in 30:52.1, while freshman Liliana Stauring rounded out Alfred State's scoring lineup with an 84th-place finish in 36:05.0.
Despite competing against some of the top programs in the SUNYAC, the Pioneers showcased their toughness and depth throughout the championship race. Kraynik's top 20 finish stood out among the field, while Alfred State's young core gained valuable experience on one of the biggest stages of the season. With three freshmen among the team's top five finishers, the future remains bright for the Pioneer program.

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