AMHERST, MASS. - The Keene State College men's cross country team began its 2004 season by racing to victory at the Amherst Invitational held on Saturday. The Owl women also had a strong first meet with a second place finish.

The Owls placed four runners in the top-10 to claim the men's team title with 34 points. Wheaton College was second (52 points) followed by Amherst (61 points).

Patrick Ard (Kingston, N.H.) was the first Owl to the finish line. The junior finished second on the five mile course with a time of 26:30. Ryan Gough (Billerica, Mass.) took fourth (27:12), followed by freshman Mark Garcia (Malden, Mass.) (5th/27:41), Weston Forsblad (Danville, N.H.) (10th/28:13), and Derrick Hamel (Northwood, N.H.) (13th/28:24).

All-America Stan Pyle of Amherst won the race in a time of 26:26.

The Keene State women's team, which tallied 55 points, displayed good depth in its first meet. Amherst (20 points), led by Carter Hamill's first place performance (18:47) ran away with team honors.

Erin Landon (Hampton, Conn.) placed fifth (19:49)on the 3.1 mile course to pace the Owls. Stephanie Gibson (Sanborton, N.H.) (8th/20:01) also placed in the top-10.

Other top finishers for KSC included: Stephanie Westcott (Chester, Vt.) (14th/20:34), freshman Jennifer Adams (Gansevoort, N.Y.) (16th/20:41), Shannon O'Brien (Tilton, N.H.) (17th/20:47), Chepina Witkowski (Keene, N.H.) (18th/20:49), and Laurie Yorgensen (Wethersfield, Conn.) (19th/20:50).

The Owls compete at the Tufts Invitational next Saturday.