YOUNGSTOWN, N.Y. – The St. Bonaventure men's cross country team turned in a strong showing Friday night in the first competition of the 2021 fall season, finishing a close second to Canisius guided by a group of impressive underclassmen in the Little Three Championship at Fort Niagara State Park.
Canisius took the overall crown with 24 team points while the Bonnies were close behind with 31 points. Niagara finished third with 85.
Freshman Clay Peets made his collegiate debut by writing his name into the Bonnies record books. He finished second overall on the night, crossing the finish line in 15:42.79, just two seconds behind overall winner Michael Peppy of Canisius. Peets' time officially stands second overall in the Bona individual 5K all-time records and is the fastest time ever run by a Bonnies men's runner in an official event. The record belongs to Darion Gregory who ran 15:40 in last year's scrimmage race held on campus amid the pandemic. The previous fastest time by a Bonnies runner in a 5K race came in the 2018 Little Three Championship, a mark of 15:53 by William Delaney.
Another Bonnies freshman gave the team a top-five finish as Zach Buckner placed fifth overall at 16:03.21, which will rank fourth in the program record books. Just behind Buckner was Bona's sophomore Zane Courtwright, who finished sixth in his Little Three debut at 16:05.67.
Two more Bonnies finished in the top-10 as Darion Gregory was eighth at 16:16.85 while Brian Gleason, making his collegiate cross country debut, placed 10th at 16:32.24.
Another freshman, Drew Carlson ran a top-20 program time as well by crossing the finish line 12th in the event at 16:41.41.
Also registering strong efforts were freshman Colin McCarthy (16:53.06), sophomore Kieran Ryan (16:56.56), freshman Jared Deno (17.01.18), along with seniors Logan Caruso (17:01.26) and John Pullano (17:01.63).
The Bonnies return to competition next Saturday at the Edinboro Invitational.
BONNIES RESULTS
2. Clay Peets – 15:42.79
5. Zach Buckner – 16:03.21
6. Zane Courtwright – 16:05.67
8. Darion Gregory – 16:16.85
10. Brian Gleason – 16:32.24
12. Drew Carlson – 16:41.41
14. Colin McCarthy – 16:53.06
15. Kieran Ryan – 16:56.56
16. Jared Deno – 17:01.18
17. Logan Caruso – 17:01.26
18. John Pullano – 17:01.63
21. Thomas Dachik – 17:06.64
22. Elias Kott – 17:07.66
25. James Fitzmaurice – 17:11.07
31. Ryan Lewis – 17:31.70
32. Aidan Boyle – 17:32.74
34. Wyatt Hulsey – 17:45.85
35. Conor Quin – 17:49.90
36. Matt Villanueva – 18:02.96
37. Henry Trost – 18:11.69
38. Owen Noecker – 18:27.95
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