SYDNEY LORENTZ
STAFF WRITER
The Franciscan University of Steubenville men’s and women’s cross-country teams are keeping the momentum going on what is turning out to be an incredible season. The Barons competed on Sept. 29 at the All-Ohio Intercollegiate Championship held at the University of Akron. Both the men’s and women’s sides held their own very well against Division I and Division II teams and saw much individual improvement as well.
On the men’s side, the team placed sixth out of 17 Division III teams, with an impressive 17th place finish overall out of 39 teams.
Sophomore Liam Galligan led the way for the Barons, finishing ninth overall with a personal record of 24:34. Following Galligan were sophomore Mark Borek and senior Nick Long, placing 97th and 101st, with times of 26:09 and 26:12 respectively.
Crossing the line next for the Barons was senior Grady Stuckman in 124th place with a personal record of 26:32 and junior Matthew Crotteau in 158th place with a time of 27:06. Freshman Michael Sobus crossed the finish line in 29:36 in 250th place. Freshman Riley Brooks was the last Baron to cross the line in a time of 33:27 in 295th place.
On the women’s side, the Lady Barons competed in both the championship race and the open race, and they saw many personal records and improvement across the board. In the championship race, the Lady Barons placed 18th out of 38 teams, and eighth place out of 17 Division III teams.
Senior Grace Galligan paced the Barons with a 34th place finish in a time of 22:39. Freshmen Alison Bryant and Mary Jo Shirger followed Galligan, finishing 87th and 100th, with times of 23:35 and 23:45. Sophomore Grace Scrocca finished 187th place in a time of 25:04, and senior Carolyn Poston was not far behind in 211th place in 25:30.
The next Lady Baron to cross the finish line was freshman Elizabeth Atkins in 240th in 26:40, with junior Kristine Stickney not far behind in 257th place with a time of 27:13. Freshman Ashlin LaFond rounded out the scoring runners for the Lady Barons, crossing the finish line in 274th place in a time 28:09.
The Barons will have an off week this next weekend as they host the Annual Kelly Roggensack Memorial 5k race for Homecoming Weekend. The team is eager to see this success carry into the next few meets and into tournament season, and they will be back in action on Oct. 13 at Oberlin College for the Intra-Regional Rumble.