College Cross Country
Rider at Penn State National

LOCK HAVEN, PA-The Broncs competed at the Penn State National meet Friday, which was moved to Lock Haven when State College was blanketed with snow that downed trees and power lines. "It went well," said Rider head coach Bob Hamer. "With the change in venue there were some anxieties but we handled it well and had good performances."

The Rider men placed eighth of 11 teams in the down-sized field, while the Rider women finished 16^th of 18 teams. "We were extremely disappointed when it was canceled but very happy when given the chance to go to Lock Haven and run," Hamer said.

For the Rider men, junior Michael Soroko (Kinnelon) placed 17^th of 130 runners, covering the 8k course in 25:49 and junior Christian Gonzalez (Somerset/Franklin Twp.) was 27^th in 26:01. "For the men, Mike had a big breakthrough day," Hamer said. "He really ran well in the middle of the race. Chris also ran a nice race."

For the Rider women, sophomore Heather Giovagnoli (Royersford, PA/Spring Ford) covered the 6K course in 22:51.  Junior Chelsea Callan (Hazlet/Raritan) was 78^th in 23:07. "Heather and Chelsea did well and are in good position for the conference championship in two weeks," Hamer said.

Also for the Rider men, sophomore Michael Linder (Whitehouse Station/Hunterdon Central) was 57^th in 27:10, senior Robert McCollough (Plymouth Meeting, PA/LaSalle) was 59^th in 27:18, freshman Sean Donohue (Cliffwood Beach/Matawan) was 69^th in 27:58 and freshman Sean McCullough (Plymouth Meeting, PA/LaSalle) was 70^th in 28:04.

Also for the Rider women, freshman Victoria Lima (Westerly, RI) was 102^nd in 23:52, sophomore laura Staples (Horsham, PA) was 105^th in 24:06, freshman Jillian Shutt (Lawrenceville, PA) was 106^th in 24:08, freshman Megan Elgin (Doylestown, PA/Central Bucks East) was 109^th in 24:14, and freshman Paige McAtee (Massapequa, NY) was 111^th in 24:20.

Rider competes at the MAAC Championships October 30 at Van Cortlandt State Park.

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