By George Tatoris Staff Writer
The men’s and women’s cross country teams had an exemplary weekend at the annual Blue/Gold Invitational this Saturday, Sept. 5, at Rosedale Park in Hopewell, N.J.
At the invitational, the Lions split into blue and gold teams and ran a friendly 5k against their teammates and two Division I competitors — Rider University and St. Joseph’s University. Alumni of the College also attended and formed a team of their own.
“This is one of the opportunities where the alumni and current athletes are together, and I know everyone enjoys reconnecting and seeing where alumni are now,” senior Roberto Guiducci said.
In the men’s race, a pack of six Lions dominated the top 10.
Junior Andrew Tedeschi finished first in the men’s race, with a blazing finishing time of 15:20, seven seconds ahead of the second place runner.
“I owe it to my coaches and my teammates,” Tedeschi said.
Sophomore Dale Johnson took third with a time of 15:32 — just five seconds behind a competitor from St. Joseph’s.
Just four seconds behind Johnson, senior Tyler Grimm finished fourth with a time of 15:36.
Guiducci and senior Scott Savage finished in tandem, taking seventh with a time of 15:43 and eighth with a time of 15:44, respectively.
“There wasn’t a time in the race where we were more than 10 meters apart,” Guiducci said. “Whenever I was losing focus, we would wake me up and get moving and I did the same to him.”
Guiducci said that his and Savage’s synergy could be a “scary combo” in a longer race like the 8k.
Rounding out the top 10 was senior Jon Stouber, who took 10th with a time of 15:47.
“We all knew that we were in great shape going into it, and that we could get the win, but we ran really fast,” senior Roberto Guiducci said. “A lot of times ran today were close to personal bests set on the track.”
The women’s team flaunted two talented up-and-comers at Saturday’s meet as two freshmen finished in the top 10. Madeline Tattory placed fifth with a time of 18:49 and Erin Holzbaur placed seventh with a time of 18:53.
In a time trial held before classes started, Holzbaur had the fastest time on the women’s team.
After her swift time at the time trial, Holzbaur was modest.
“I guess all of my training paid off,” she said.
Before the invitational, Holzbaur told The Signal she was “really excited to see where I’m at.”
Behind Holzbaur, senior Marissa Lerit took 11th with a time of 19:12.
Junior Laura Straub and freshman Emma Bean finished 13th and 14th, respectively, within three seconds of one another. Straub finished the course in 19:16 while Bean had a time of 19:19.
Both teams will head to White Clay Creek State Park Saturday, Sept. 12, for the University of Delaware Invitational.
