Saturday Oct. 7 was rainy and cold, but it was a great day for the Hamilton Continentals. Thirteen teams from Division II, Division III, and NJCAA schools were invited to the Hamilton College Invitational. However, as the races got started, it was clear that the Continentals would lead the pack.
The women’s race concluded first with Hamilton’s Hanna Jerome ’18 winning the five-kilometer race overall. She finished in just 18:38.4 minutes and was closely followed by Grace Heller ’20 in second, with a time of 18:52.4. Out of the 85 runners contending for the top placement, Hamilton women’s cross country placed four runners in the top-10. Caitlin Anthony ’18 and Katie Cronin ’21 finished shortly after in 11th and 13th place respectively.
With 30 team points, the Continentals took the team title, overcoming Division II Le Moyne College by six points and placing first in nine-team field. The rest of their season looks promising as they head to the Hamilton Short Tuneup Invitational this weekend.
The men’s race started shortly after with 120 runners taking to the 8-kilometer course. Hamilton’s Lucas Wright ’21 placed second overall, coming in with a time of 25:30.5, just 4.7 seconds behind the individual winner from Le Moyne. Quickly thereafter, the Continentals claimed five of the top ten placements with Peter DeWeirdt ’18 in third, Erich Wohl ’18 in sixth, Henry Whipple ’18 in seventh, and Christopher Skeldon ’20 in 10th. All finished in under 27 minutes.
The Continentals took just 28 team points, edging out the Le Moyne men to take the team title for men’s Cross Country also. This was the first time this season that both the men’s and women’s teams have won the team title of a race.
Speaking to DeWeirdt on the team’s accomplishment and future goals, he said, “Personally, I was happy with the Hamilton Invite. The rest of the team came in with some really solid performances. Chris Skeldon came in big with a 10th place finish as our fifth man (the top five score in cross country), and it was a huge personal best for me. Next weekend we have a smaller short course invitational at home that we’re looking to win. After that we have two big championship races, NESCACS and the Atlantic Regional Championships. With three good team performances in a row at these races, we’re hoping to extend the season to Elsa, Illinois where nationals are being held this year.” With big goals in mind, the team is working hard and focusing on each other’s strengths to pull though.
Last week, the NESCAC took note of those strengths, recognizing Lucas Wright as NESCAC Runner of the Week. Wright is the team’s lone first-year but has played a big role on the team already. DeWeridt spoke of Wright’s teamwork saying, “Lucas, who was second in the race, and I worked really well together throughout and battled hard to try and get that first place spot for the team.” Wright’s placement in the Hamilton Invitational was essential to the team’s success. When asked about his recognition, Wright said, “It was definitely pretty cool to be the runner of the week. It was also nice to be able to represent Hamilton so early in my college career. It was a personal best for me, 25:30 (5:06 mile pace). I’m definitely still getting used to the jump from the high school 5k to the collegiate 8k and am feeling more comfortable with every race.” Wright’s time and placement has only improved throughout the season, and he is confident that as the rest of the season plays out, his performance and the team’s as a whole will only continue to advance. Speaking of season goals, Wright said, “Cross Country is all about the team. I personally want to keep running fast and trying to win every race, but as a team, we all need to move up and keep putting people behind us. I think that our team this year has the possibility to do really well. We have a solid top pack and a lot of potential, if we stay healthy.” The focus on the team’s success is what will lead the Hamilton men’s cross country into the post season.
Hamilton was recognized early in the cross-country season when Bryce Murdick ’20 was selected as NESCAC Runner of the Week. Murdick did not compete in the Hamilton Invitational, but will figure heavily into the Continentals’ top-five entering championship season.
The team has been off for break but will return Oct. 21 for the Hamilton Short Course Tuneup. The women’s race will begin at 11 a.m., and the men’s will follow at 11:30 a.m.
