NEWARK, N.Y. - The Men's and Women's Cross Country teams competed at the Bruce Bridgeman Invitational for the first time today and the Hawks should be proud of their efforts.

"Todays course provided a challenge both mentally and physically to all the runners," said coach Nick Orlowski.  "We knew going in it was a tough course with challenging hills and that we would see some strong competition."

Megan Lee was the first female to break the finish line tape and  Adam Droz came in fifth overall in a field of 54 male runners.

"Megan and Adam grinded out the races in a gutsy performance and it paid off for them," continued Orlowski.  "Physically everyone is coming around; Matthew Domagala had an outstanding performance in his first 5-mile collegiate race and it will be exciting to watch him grow as a runner.  The women were shorthanded today due to injuries, but I can't give enough praise to Katelyn Proy.  She's a true competitor, running a similar time to last week on a much more difficult course today."

The men's team took a 4th place finish in a field of 6 teams.  Adam Droz (5th overall, 4 points) paced the course in 32:09.83 (6:29) while Adam Connelly crossed in 34:06.94.  Matthew Domagala finished in 34:44.38, Ryan Zielinski's in 40:10.83 and Jacob Olivieri's 40:37.27 ended up being the final scoring Hilbert runner.  They combined for 87 points, behind Keuka (65), the hosts, Finger Lakes Community College (53) and today's champions, Lorain Country Community College (OH) who notched 45 points.

Mitchell Rushok (40:52.55) and William Nichols (48:12.41) added another race to their careers wearing the royal and white.

Megan Lee (7:35) led the field of 28 women around the 5K course and clipped the tape in 23:31.17;  she was about 50-seconds ahead of the second place finisher from Lorain CCC.  Mohawk Valley CC and Corning CC had athletes finish in the top 4, before the Keuka College women's team took the women's championship with 15 points.  No other team in the women's race had five runners so the Wolves won the race.

Katelyn Proy, running in only her second collegiate race, clocked in 36:05.67.

The Hawks have a weekend off from racing next Saturday and they anticipate welcoming all injured athletes back on the course September 22 when they travel to the Harry F. Anderson Invite hosted by Roberts Wesleyan College.

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