Women Finish Fifth, Men Sixth at MAAC XC Championships

The Canisius College cross country program competed in the 2007 MAAC Championships at Van Cortlant Park in Bronx, N.Y., Friday afternoon. The women's team finished fifth, while the men's team finished sixth. The sixth place finish is the best for the men's team at the MAAC Championships since 2001 when the Blue and Gold captured third place. For the women, it's the best finish at MAAC's since 2000 when the Golden Griffins placed fourth. The men ran on an 8K course while the women ran on a 6K course.

On the men's side, the top finisher for the Blue and Gold was freshman Erik van Ingen (Killawog, N.Y.). Van Ingen finished 11th with a time of 25:58. Both Van Ingen's time and place were the best for a Canisius runner since Pat Leone finished 11th with a time of 25:47 at the 2002 MAAC Championships.

Sophomore Matt Butters (St. Catherine's Ont.) finished 22nd overall with a time of 26:49. Sophomore Vasilis Kariolis (West Hurley, N.Y.) finished 35th overall with a time of 27:26. Juniors Chris Castleman (Phoenixville, Pa.) (27:54), and Brett Finnan (Lockport, N.Y.) (27:58) and senior Christian Volk (Buffalo, N.Y.) (28:04) finished 47th, 52nd and 56th respectively.

Rounding out the men's field for the Griffs was junior Justin Weldon (Lockport, N.Y) who placed 67th with a time of 28:45 and freshman Sean Balkin (Buffalo, N.Y.) who placed 79th with a time of 29:14.

For the women, the top finisher was sophomore Samantha Garnet (Monroe, N.Y). Garnet finished 16th with a time of 23:41. Garnet's finish was the best for the Griffs at the MAAC Championships since 2003 when Alieen Hoak finished 14th with a time of 23:41.

Freshman Maura Frauenhofer (Williamsville, N.Y) ran a very strong race and finished 20th overall with a time of 23:55. Junior Alex Brown (Lancaster, N.Y.) finished 22nd overall with a time of 24:05. Junior Precious Peoples (Buffalo, N.Y.) finished 29th with a time of 24:30.

Sophomore Jess Nowak (Orchard Park, N.Y.) placed 39th with a time of 25:05. Senior Chelsea Fitzgerald (Clifton Park, N.Y.) registered a time of 25:44, placing her 62nd. Sophomore Ellen Duane (West Falls, N.Y.) placed 72nd with a time of 26:24. Senior Lauren Mariacher (Elma, N.Y.) (26:30) finished 76th.

Junior Anna Pawlaczyk (Hamburg, N.Y.) 27:21 and senior Jessica Bell (Akron, N.Y.) (31:53) finished 95th and 119th respectively.

The Griffs have some time off before returning to the trails Nov. 11 at the NCAA Regionals in Boston.

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Players Mentioned

Jessica Bell: 5' 6"; Senior

Alex Brown: 5' 7"; Junior

Chris Castleman: 5' 10"; Junior

Ellen Duane: 5' 8"; Sophomore

Brett Finnan: 6' 2"; Junior

Chelsea Fitzgerald: 5' 4"; Senior

Maura Frauenhofer: 5' 3"; Freshman

Samantha Garnet: 5' 3"; Sophomore

Vasilis Kariolis: 6' 2"; Sophomore

Lauren Mariacher: 5' 7"; Senior

Jess Nowak: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Anna Pawlaczyk: 6' 0"; Junior

Players Mentioned

Jessica Bell
: 5' 6"; Senior

Alex Brown
: 5' 7"; Junior

Chris Castleman
: 5' 10"; Junior

Ellen Duane
: 5' 8"; Sophomore

Brett Finnan
: 6' 2"; Junior

Chelsea Fitzgerald
: 5' 4"; Senior

Maura Frauenhofer
: 5' 3"; Freshman

Samantha Garnet
: 5' 3"; Sophomore

Vasilis Kariolis
: 6' 2"; Sophomore

Lauren Mariacher
: 5' 7"; Senior

Jess Nowak
: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Anna Pawlaczyk
: 6' 0"; Junior