Syracuse, N.Y. - Sophomore Rachel Strong (Cicero, N.Y./Cicero-North Syracuse) placed first and freshman Sean Beney (Camillus, N.Y./West Genesee) placed fourth overall to lead the Le Moyne College women's and men's cross country teams as they opened the 2014 season on campus by hosting the Le Moyne College Alumni Short Course Invitational.

On the men's side, Roberts Wesleyan took home the team title after placing six of the top 10 finishers on the day. Beney finished with a time of 20:22.40 on the 6K course to lead the Dolphins to a second-place finish. Junior Joe Fallon (Syracuse, N.Y./Marcellus) placed 14th overall, just eight seconds behind Beney, at 20:30.71, while freshman Brody Witaszek (Ghent, N.Y./Chatham) finished in 18th place with a time of 20:40.37. Sophomore Colin Teeter (Central Square, N.Y./Central Square) placed 21st in 21:15.54, while junior Adam Zinger (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) posted a time of 21:40.78 to place 27th. Freshman Robert Jeffrey (Norwich, N.Y./Norwich) and sophomore Scott Besser (East Longmeadow, Mass./East Longmeadow) rounded out the Dolphins lineup by crossing the line in 36th and 41st place, respectively.
 
Former Dolphin Jake McAndrew '09 crossed the line first among all participants with a time of 19:58.93.
 
With a personal best time of 13:42.14, Strong crossed the line first in the four-kilometer women's race. In her first collegiate race, freshman Jeanette Cudney (Cazenovia, N.Y./Cazenovia) crossed the line second with a time of 15:00.53. Roberts Wesleyan claimed the team title pushing across seven of the top 13 finishers on the day.
 
Freshmen Gabrielle Schug (East Syracuse, N.Y./Christian Brothers Academy) (16:35.70) and Savannah Stevens (Clay, N.Y./Cicero-North Syracuse) (16:38.63) placed 16th and 18th overall for the Dolphins, while sophomore Elena Doctor (Buffalo, N.Y./West Seneca East) (16:51.51) and junior Katherine Ward (Tully, N.Y./Tully) (16:52.54) placed inside the top 20 finishers. Freshman Katherine Markstein (Binghamton, N.Y./Susquehanna Valley) rounded out the Dolphins lineup in 22nd place with a time of 16:55.
 
The Dolphins are back in action next Saturday, September 13th on the campus of Franklin Pierce University (Rindge, N.H.) for the Bruce Kirsh Invitational.
 
Women Team Results:
1. Roberts Wesleyan (33), 2. Daemen (44), 3. Le Moyne (56), 4. Cazenovia (119).
 
Le Moyne Women Individual Results:
1. Rachel Strong, 2. Jeanette Cudney, 16. Gabrielle Schug, 18. Savannah Stevens, 19. Elena Doctor, 20. Katherine Ward, 22. Katherine Markstein.
 
Men Team Results:
1. Roberts Wesleyan (30), 2. Le Moyne (65), Daemen (72), SUNY Delhi (102), 5. Onondaga C.C. (157), 6. Finger Lakes CC (163), 7. Bryant & Stratton (168), 8. Cazenovia (217).
 
Le Moyne Men Individual Results:
4. Sean Beney, 14. Joe Fallon, 18. Brody Witaszek, 21. Colin Teeter, 27. Adam Zinger, 36. Robert Jeffrey, 41. Scott Besser.