The men’s and women’s cross country teams are getting ready for the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Championships which are taking place in Potsdam, New York on Saturday Oct, 28.
The host of the conference championships is rotated every year, New Paltz hosted them most recently in 2011. Head coach Mike Trunkes is excited for both of his teams to participate in the SUNYAC Championships this weekend.
“The girls had their final workout this past Tuesday, they looked eager and ready to go,” Trunkes said.
After a strong performance at the Connecticut College Invite on Oct.14, Trunkes has high hopes for the women’s team this coming weekend.
“We are hoping to finish in the top three in the conference, which is something we have never done in this program’s history,” Trunkes said. “We can’t be intimidated by our opponents such as Geneseo and Plattsburgh in order for this to happen.”
Geneseo is currently ranked No. 1 in the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) division III Atlantic region, SUNY Oneonta is ranked sixth overall in that same region.
Some keys for the women’s team to be successful this weekend according to Trunkes includes getting off to a good start in the events.
“The girls have to be confident and aggressive to start the race, it’s a hilly course, so the girls have to allow their fitness and condition to do its job,” he said.
On the men’s side, Trunkes is hoping for a solid all-around performance from the team.
“It would be great if we can finish in seventh or eighth place,” Trunkes said. “If the men work together for as long as possible throughout the race, they will be in good shape. Our top two runners in Stephen Smith and Barrett Celecki will be important for us.”