Syracuse, N.Y. – The Le Moyne College men's and women's cross country teams opened up its 2025 campaign on Saturday, as both teams earned a 1^st place finish at hosting the Frank Dillon Memorial Invitational.
 
"I was very happy with our results today," said head coach Robin Wheeless. "The depth for both the men and the women is a huge improvement. I've always felt that cross country is a team sport, and it definitely showed today."
 
Women's Recap:
 
The day kicked off with the women's 4k race beginning at 10:30 a.m. with 59 total participantsJunior Mackenzie Ples (Lowville, N.Y./Lowville) had the highest finish on the women's side, placing 4^th overall after running a time of 16:01.3. Sophomore Jasmin Gonzalez-Rivera (Utica, N.Y./Thomas R. Proctor) finished one spot behind Ples, clocking in with a time of 16:21.2 and placing 5^th overall.
 
Freshman Emma Bohall (Schenectady, N.Y.) placed 12^th overall in her first collegiate meet after running a time of 17:13.2. Junior Stephanie James (Schenectady, N.Y./Scotia-Glenville) earned a 13^th place finish after running a time of 17:36.3.
 
Fifth year Hailey Beckwith (Stephentown, N.Y./Berlin) placed 21^st overall, running a time of 18:05.4. Freshman Emily Judd (Chittenango, N.Y.) placed 24^th overall in her first collegiate meet, clocking in with a time of 18:32.1 to round out the top 25 finishes.
 
The Dolphins finished the day with a team score of 52 points to earn a 1^st place finish.
 
Men's Recap:
 
The men's 6k followed the conclusion of the women's race, with the event beginning at 11:15 a.m. Junior Tyler Cooper (Sloatsburg, N.Y./Suffern) placed 1^st overall with a time of 19:10.3, finishing over 30 seconds before the 2^nd place runner Paul Clark of Onondaga Community College.
 
The 'Phins would earn the next three placements, as sophomore Liam Rocks (Jersey City, N.J./St. Peter's Prep) placed 3^rd overall running a time of 19:42.1, sophomore Carson Campbell (Lee Center, N.Y./Rome Free Academy) placed 4^th overall with a time of 20:31.8, and junior Mike Purvis (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) placed 5^th overall with a time of 20:40.8.
 
Sophomore Brendan O'Rourke (New Milford, N.J./Bergen) placed 15^th overall after running a time of 22:03.9. In his first collegiate meet, freshman Emett Bachmann (Churchville, N.Y./Churchville-Chili) placed 19^th overall after clocking in with a time of 22:14.1. Senior Jake Roman (Liverpool, N.Y./Cicero-North Syracuse/SUNY Morrisville) placed 23^rd overall with a time of 22:40.3 to round out the top 25 finishers of the day.
 
"Our comprehension from one to five was much better, and I hope to see it improve throughout the season," said Wheeless. "I'm looking forward to see how the full-length race goes at the University of Rochester. 'Phins Up!"
 
Women's Team Scoring:

1. Le Moyne – 52
2. SUNY ESF – 27
3. SUNY Delhi – 75
4. Oswego State – 80
5. Morrisville State – 92

 
Men's Team Scoring:

1. Le Moyne – 28
2. Morrisville State – 66
3. SUNY ESF – 72
4. SUNY Delhi – 94
5. Onondaga Community College – 131
6. Oswego State – 141
7. SUNY Broome – 205

 
What's Next:
 
The Dolphins have a brief pause in their schedule before returning to action on September 20^th, as they are set to compete at the Yellowjacket Invitational at the University of Rochester.