On Friday afternoon, the cross country team competed in Bethlehem, Pa. against the most competitive field it has seen all season. The field was comprised of teams from notable conferences such as the Ivy League, Big Ten and Mid-American Conference as well as the Big East Conference.
In the women's 6k race, the Bulls placed 18th in the field of 35 with 487 points. Princeton University finished first by just one point over the University of Wisconsin, 62-61, to capture the title. The team had to adjust to the length of the race, running six kilometers instead of the normal five.
The Bulls were helped greatly by sophomore Mary Veith's 14th place finish out of 237 runners. Veith finished with a time of 21:14, just 58 seconds behind the winner, Frances Koons of Villanova. Junior Aleksandra Bykowsa was the second Buffalo runner to finish with a time of 22:14 and sophomore Kate Kahout followed her with a time of 22:36.
Veith has proven to be the team's most valuable and consistent runner this season. She has led the women three weeks in a row and is starting to become a team leader as a sophomore.
"Mary continued her fantastic season," said head coach Vicki Mitchell. "She bettered her time by almost a minute, which is so impressive to do."
The men's team also finished in the middle of the pack, placing 26th out of the 42-team field in an 8k race. The Bulls finished with 710 points as Big East conference powers Villanova and Pittsburgh placed first and second with 103 and 166 points. Villanova senior Robert Curtis won the race with a time of 23:53.
The Bulls were helped with great individual performances from two newcomers and one of their veterans.
Senior Andy Leonard was the Bulls' top finisher in 48th place. Leonard was able to finish with his best time of the season at 25:14, as he bettered his mark of 26:14 that earned him first-place at the Toledo Invitational two weeks ago.
Junior Jesse Mang and senior Dave Welby also had season best times in finishing second and third for Buffalo. Each runner has come up big in the last few races and has helped the Bulls continue to improve all season. Mang and Welby each cut close to 30 seconds off their previous best marks. Mang, a new runner on the squad, has been a valuable member of the team.
"He's been a super addition to our team," Mitchell said. "He's a very talented and hard working runner, we're lucky to have him."
Welby, a second year runner and former soccer player, has shown improvement since joining the team.
"He has soccer in his background and he's still on a learning curve," Mitchell said. "Every time he steps out he's improving his time and keeps running better and better. He's been a nice addition."
The Bulls could have finished higher if not for an injury to senior Dan McKenna. McKenna injured his Achilles tendon after being stepped on from behind by an opposing runner during the race and as a result of which was not able to finish. Luckily, McKenna wasn't seriously hurt and should be able to compete in the next meet.
While there were good individual performances, Mitchell knows there is room for the whole team to improve.
"I'm pleased with where we are currently at," Mitchell said. "But I am not satisfied. We have a lot more to go. But things are going in the right direction."
The Bulls also had runners who competed in the open division of the race with sophomore Dan Healy and senior Jennie Donofrio. Healy finished in 37th place with a time of 26:06 and Donofrio finished in 183rd place with a time of 24:42.
The Bulls will have this weekend off before they travel to Rochester and Ithaca for their next two meets. The Bulls will have only these two competitions before the Mid-American Championships, which are held on Oct. 28 at Beaver Island State Park in Grand Island, N.Y.
