Panther Runners Prevail at Albany Invitational

Author: Mike Mazzotta

Two weeks ago on a blustery Saturday morning, the Middlebury Panthers set out for SUNY Albany to compete in the 36th Albany Invitational. The meet showcased a smorgasbord of Division I and Division III schools including Syracuse, University of Massachusetts—Amherst, Cortland and Hamilton Colleges. Battling stiff winds, cold temperatures, a difficult course and some Division I competition, the Panthers defended the old Blue and White.
The women kicked off the day with a terrific race. They took five of the top six spots winning the meet with a score of 18 points out of a minimum possible total of 15 points. Senior co-captain Michela Adrian and Jess Manzer '05 were first and second, respectively. They both broke the previous course record by running 18:09. Sarah Logan '03, Molly Yazwinski '04 and Marissa Cawley '05 were close on their heels capturing the fourth, fifth and sixth places overall. First years Nora Segar and Kelsey Rinehart rounded out the top seven spots.
The women looked very strong and showed their depth at Albany. They beat the second place team, Albany, by 85 points. The first four Panthers finished the race within a 19 second time span, and the top seven all finished in under 19:45, despite running in less than perfect conditions. Baker Lyon '06 was thrilled with the women's team's performance. "It is always exciting to see the women race, but it makes it extra special when they stomp D-I teams," she noted.
The men's race was also an exciting one. The Middlebury men placed an impressive ninth out of 22 teams, finishing just 37 points and two places behind perennial powerhouse Syracuse University. Rookies Garrott Kuzzy '06 and Jon Erwin '05 led the Panthers finishing in 27:04 and 27:07, respectively. Sophomore Nick Digani captured the third spot for the Panthers while turning in one of his best performances thus far this year. Marshall Greene '04, Mike Accordino '06, Tom Iccard '06, and Mike Romankiewicz '03 were the fourth through seventh Panthers.
The Panthers captured ninth place in typical pack fashion. They had the tightest pack out of the top 10 men's teams with the top five Middlebury runners finishing in a 27-place span. Additionally, the Panther men avenged last year's loss to Hamilton College. They beat the Continentals by 167 points.
The big surprises of the weekend came from first-years Jenny Jorvig and Tom Iccard. After recovering from injury, Jorvig raced for the second time this season, her first since Sept. 14. Jorvig crossed the finish line in eighth place for the Panthers with a time of 20:28. Tom Iccard cracked the Panther top seven for the first time this season. He ran 27:48 in his best race so far this season.
The Panthers had an off week over break, giving them ample time to rest up and prepare for the upcoming conference meet. They head to Grafton, Mass., where Tufts will host the NESCAC championship meet this Saturday. With the championship portion of the season fast approaching, the Panther runners seem to be in top form.