Both the men’s and women’s Oswego State cross country teams kicked off their season in dominant fashion, earning first-place finishes in their home invitational on Sept. 4. 

The morning began with the Lakers celebrating their graduating seniors before the teams took to the course. The men’s team went on to take first place over SUNY ESF and Onondaga Community College, placing four runners inside the top five.

Freshman Sebastian Boutwell led the way for the Lakers in the 6K, finishing first overall with a time of 20:24.0 in his first collegiate race. 

Following the young Boutwell was Noah Melita, who finished second with a time of 20:37.1. Sophomore Nehemiah Daniel rounded out the trifecta for Oswego with a time of 21:25.7.l

The women’s squad matched the men’s performance, taking five of the top seven spots in the 4K.

Senior Kyra Pellegrino led the Lakers across the finish line, winning the race with a time of 15:24.5. Her performance ranks third all-time in Oswego State women’s cross country history, trailing only her own previous mark and that of teammate, junior Elena Gaffney.

The SUNYAC awarded Pellegrino for her historic efforts on Sept. 8, naming her the Women’s cross country runner of the week.

Gaffney finished second with a time of 15:55.1, a performance that now ranks ninth all-time in the program’s 4K history. Graduate student Gia Engel completed the Lakers’ sweep of the top three, finishing with a time of 16:14.1.

After the team’s impressive all-around showing, the Lakers will take a trip down I-81 to for the Le Moyne Invitational on Sept. 12.