KEENE, N.H. 8/31/13 – Don't tell the Keene State College cross country alums that they're over the hill.

Still terrors on the trails, the Keene State men's alums once again showed the way on Saturday, edging the current Owl squad 28-32 at the Keene State Cross Country Alumni Invitaional.  A pair of KSC alums was the first runners to cross the finish line in the men's race.  Eric MacKnight '11 won the race with a time of 15:46 while Josh Ferenc' 04 was right behind him, clocking a time of 16:04 on the slick 5K Owl Athletic Complex course. 

“I executed the plan to hold on until the two mile mark and then just hammer and hope for the best,” said MacKnight.  “This is the alumni nationals.  This is the most important race of the year.

Sophomore Ryan Brady (Durham, N.H.) was the first current member of the Owl team to finish.  The reigning Little East rookie runner of the year placed third with a time of 16:14.  Senior Ryan Widzgowski (Camden, Maine) was KSC's second runner, placing fourth with a time of 16:19.  Alum Peter Najem '10 round out the top-five finishers with a time of 16:23. ”I took it out pretty relaxed and tried to use my teammate Ryan (Widzgowski) to set the pace,” said Brady.  I just went for it in the last mile and it felt good.”

The current Owl team placed all five of its scorers in the top-10.  In addition to Brady and Widzgowski, senior Chris Plankey (Bristol, N.H.) was seventh (16:26), sophomore Brandon Davis O'Donnell (Nashua, N.H.) was eighth (16:310) and sophomore Hayden Patterson (Dover, N.H.) was 10th (16:31).

UMass-Lowell had the two top finishers in the women's two mile race.  Jaclyn Solimnie won the race with a time of 12:12 while teammate Gina Butler was second (12:18).

Keene State alum Megan Matthews Haggerty '04 finished third with a time of 12:20. “It was fun because there was no pressure,” said Haggerty.  “I didn't expect to beat the current girls on the team, but that was one of my goals. “

Sophomore Samantha Goldsmith (Derry, N.H.) was the first current member of the Owls to cross line, placing fourth with a time of 12:22.  Freshman Carli Davis (Chester, N.H.) finished fifth with a time of 12:25.  

“It's always nice to start off with the alumni race because its two miles and its fun.  I felt good. I was excited,” said Goldsmith.  “I thought we did well as a team. I was excited to see what kind of pack we would have because we've done really well during workouts. Today went really well because we had such a big pack and its going to be beneficial for the season.”

The KSC women won the team championship by one point over UMass-Lowell 36-37.  The KSC alumni were third with 61 points.

Keene State competes at the Dartmouth Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 14.

MEN'S TOP INDIVIDUALS:  Eric MacKnight (KSC Alum) 15:46; Josh Ferenc (KSC Alum) 16:04; Ryan Brady (Keene State) 16:14; Ryan Widzgowski (Keene State) 16:19; Peter Najem (KSC Alum) 16:23;

MEN'S TEAM SCORES:  KSC Alums 28; Keene State 32; UMass-Lowell 78; Clark 115; Norwich 161; Fitchburg State 151; Lasell 216;

WOMEN'S TOP INDIVIVIDUALS:  Jaclyn Solimine (UMass-Lowell) 12:12; Gina Butler (UMass-Lowell) 12; 18; Meghan Hergarty (KSC Alum) 12:20; Samantha Goldsmith (Keene State) 12:22; Carli Davis (Keene State) 12:25;