Results
SARATOGA, N.Y. -- Junior Kelsey Ryan placed sixth overall in the women's 3.04 mile-run with a time of 19:07 to lead the Golden Flyers to a second place finish at the Empire 8 Cross Country Championships, which were held at Saratoga Springs State Park. Sophomore Matt Fedrizzi placed 16th overall in men's 8-kilometer race with a time of 27:20 to lead the men's team.

The Ithaca women's cross country team secured its ninth consecutive Empire 8 title with a total score of 19 points. The Golden Flyers finished second with 64 points, followed by Utica with 97 points. The Bombers' also defended their title in the men's race by placing first with 37 points. Ithaca was followed by Stevens with 59 points and Utica with 63 points.

After Ryan finished, freshman Meleana Spera was the Golden Flyers' second female finisher in 15th place with a time of 19:30. Sophomore Kayleigh Olive and sophomore Bethany Althaus finished back-to-back in 20th and 21st place with the time of 19:46 and 19:50, respectively.

Freshman Michaela Gildemeyer was Nazareth's fifth runner across the line as she finished 28th overall (20:12). Senior Michelle Gillette placed 30th (20:25) and sophomore Lauren Heitzhaus placed 32nd overall (20:35) to round out the Golden Flyers' top seven runners.

Following Fedrizzi in the men's meet, senior Tim Rutan placed 18th overall with a time of 27:23. Rutan was followed junior Josh Strough, who placed 40th (28:47). Sophomore Jake Lafaver was Nazareth's fourth finisher in 50th place (29:43), and he was followed by sophomore Robbie DeWald in 54th place (30:22). Senior Dan Polino rounded out the Golden Flyers' finishers in 57th place with a time of 30:54.

Nazareth travels to St. Lawrence for the NCAA Regional Championships November 12th for its next meet.

Empire 8 2011 Women's Cross Country All-Conference Awards
Runner of the Meet: Alissa Kersey, Ithaca College
Rookie of the Meet: Alexa Rick, Ithaca College

First Team                                                          
Alissa Kersey, Gr. Ithaca
Heidi Baumbach, Sr. Ithaca
Katie Day, So. Utica
Alexa Rick, Fr. Ithaca
Molly Quinn, Sr. Ithaca
Kelsey Ryan, Jr. Nazareth
Anastasia Diamond, Fr. Ithaca
 
Second Team         
Molly Brown, Sr. Ithaca
Carly Graham, Jr. Ithaca
Allison Bartkowiak, So. Ithaca
Ebonie Howard, Jr. Ithaca
Emily Smith, Fr. Ithaca
Meghan Shanley, Jr. Ithaca
Katie Castroagudin, So. Stevens
 
Sportswoman of the Year
Erin Johnstone, Jr. Alfred
Erika Gates, Sr. Hartwick
Molly Brown, Sr. Ithaca
Lauren Heitzhaus, So. Nazareth
Ali Schillenger, Jr. St. John Fisher
Jamie Brabston, Sr. Stevens
Jaimee Balloni, So. Utica