What’s At Stake

In addition to the individual and team titles, runners will attempt to qualify for the NCAA Division III national championship meet (Nov. 18 in Elsah, Ill., hosted by Principia College). The top five individuals and top two teams in the region qualify automatically. The NCAA then invites at-large teams to nationals and fills out the field with non-top five finishers in each region.

Says head coach Tom Wilson: “On the men’s side, Merlin and Ethan have a very strong shot at qualifying. Both men have a great opportunity to represent Fredonia at the NCAA’s. As for the team, we are looking to finish in the top 15 this year. It would be an improvement from last year and a strong team finish for the season … The women will look to finish in the top 15 as well. Brenna and Hannah have strong shots to make the NCAA meet. Brenna was just short last year by three spots. The women’s team have run a strong season thus far and we will be looking to finish their season on a high note.”

You Should Know

The men will run 8,000 meters and the women 6,000 meters over a course described as flat. Added Wilson: “With the amount of rain we have received, it should slow down a bit.”

Fredonia Men:

Seniors: Merlin Joseph and Mitch Loiacano

Junior: Ethan Francis (Dunkirk)

Sophomores: Kyle Egan and Aidan Pollard

Freshmen: Ryan Dunning, Matt Erman and Noah Watkins

Fredonia Women:

Seniors: Madison Courtney, Kristen Guarino;

Juniors: Brenna Donovan, Hannah Kurbs, Emily Maguire;

Freshmen: Sarah Buckley, Sarah Kurbs, Leesa Peterson.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

Poirier, Christopher named All Region

Courtney Poirier and Hallie Christopher were named to the AVCA All Region Honorable Mention Team on Thursday. Both were named to the All SUNYAC Team earlier this week.

A libero, Poirier was First Team All SUNYAC and the Defensive Player of the Year in the conference.

Poirier’s 492 digs ranked 10th on the all time Blue Devil list. Her career 1,322 digs is sixth in Blue Devil history. This season, she also ranked third on the team with 43 service aces.

Christopher, the team’s setter, finished fourth overall in the conference with 1,044 assists. She added 28 service aces and 264 digs to her totals. Christopher finishes her career with 1,484 assists, which is seventh in school history.

Fredonia finished the season with a 22-10 mark, including a second-place 8-1 finish in the SUNYAC.