The Buffalo Bulls attended the Spartan Invitational over the weekend to test themselves against some of the best competition in the nation, as well as scout future opponents. The event, hosted by the Big 10's Michigan State Spartans, allowed both the men's and women's cross country teams to see how much they had improved since their previous match, as well as get a first hand look at Mid-American Conference rival Central Michigan.
"Overall, I was very pleased with the race," said head coach Vickie Mitchell. "It was our first time we went to this competition. I was looking to see one of the MAC schools, which we did with Central Michigan, as well as experience something different."
The women's team, led by junior Mary Veith, scored 133 points to finish fourth among 10 teams. Veith, named to First Team All-MAC in 2006, paced the women's runners and finished sixth behind five runners from Michigan State. She completed the 5K course in 21:52, 20 seconds behind the third-place runner and just two seconds behind the fifth-place finisher.
"(Veith) had a fantastic race," Mitchell said. "She felt really good and very strong the entire time. It was her first competition of the year, so I think she did quite a great job. I'm very pleased that she is so confident after having a race under her belt, so it's good for the team."
Other top finishers for the women's team consisted of sophomore Nicole Soblosky, junior Jessica O'Neill and freshman Megan Niblock. Soblosky was Buffalo's next finisher clocking in at 22:55 to place 23rd. O'Neill and Niblock finished 52nd and 53rd, respectively. O'Neill finished with a time of 23:50, while Niblock finished one second behind at 23:51. Michigan State senior Nicole Bush won the women's individual title, finishing at 20:39.
The men's team, led by senior Dan Giza, scored 150 points to finish fifth among 11 schools. Giza, in his first race of the season, completed the 8K course in 25:38. He was 12th out of 151 runners. Giza also achieved a personal goal, finishing the race a minute faster than his best clocking of the 2006 season.
"(Giza) did very good as well," Mitchell said. "He had a strong race right from the gun. He went out with the lead pack, and held very strong and felt very controlled the whole race. For him to be in the crowd with the top placers of the race, I am very pleased with where he was and where he is going this season."
Other top finishes for the men's team consisted of sophomore Jason Ayr and freshman Ryan Bloom. Ayr placed 27 with a time of 26:04, while Bloom finished 38th in 26:22. Grand Valley State's Nate Peck won the men's individual race in 24:43.
Michigan State's women sent seven of the top eight runners across the finish line. This monopoly of the finish line helped the Spartans score a perfect 15 points to take the team title. Grand Valley State scored 27 points to win the men's title.
"I think it went very well, considering it was the first 6K of the year with the women, and it was the first 8K of the year for the men," Mitchell said. "It was a great induction for our freshmen, so I'm really quite pleased with the outcome of the meet. Considering there was some great competition at the meet, I feel our teams came out really strong. It is only our second meet of the season so I don't expect them to be sharp quite just yet, but I am still pleased with the overall outcome."
On Saturday, the Bulls host the UB Stampede Open at Beaver Island State Park, located on Grand Island. Races begin at 11:00 a.m.
Photo: Courtesy of SUNY
