LOCK HAVEN, PA (September 23, 2023) – Even on a rainy day, the River Hawks know when to fly. Saturday morning the men's cross country team traveled to Lock Haven University to compete in both Crimson and White races on a course they will return to in November when they host the NCAA Regionals. Overall, SU placed 16th out of a total of 35 for the Crimson race with more outstanding performances by junior Terence Grenda who finished sixth all time with a PR that was 1:13 faster at 25:34.6, and freshman Evander Lackman with eighth all-time at 25:39.6. Lackman claimed a spot in the record books for best freshman 8K opener in the last 15 years. 

Senior Christian Caldero and Junior Jack McCamish set new personal records. Caldero got a time of 29:10.3, beating his previous PR by 1:09. He was a top finisher from the open White race. McCamish raced 2:25 minutes faster, which gives him the time of 31:36.2. This was his first 8K in nearly two years.

Senior Declan Griffin earned fifth place for the team. Freshman Asa Alderman, Lukas VanDine, and Hunter Valentino completed their first 8K ever. This was a great meet day for the team and a fantastic push towards the rest of the season.

"Overall we had four guys faster than our number one last year who was all region," said head coach JJ Clinchoc. "To see our top three first-years compete so well in their first-ever 8K was way beyond my expectations. TJ's massive PR is contributed to all the hard work he put in over the summer when no one was watching. This is hands down the best start to a season since 2015! I am excited to see what this team can accomplish over this season."

Tune in next weekend when the River Hawks take on another major challenge in the Paul Short Run at Lehigh University on Saturday, September 30.