ALBANY, N.Y. – The University at Albany cross country program begins championship season in earnest this weekend with the America East XC Championship meet.
 
Meet Info
America East XC Championships
Saturday, October 29
Jerusalem Mill Park – Baltimore, Md.
Championship Central
Men: 8K – 10:00 am
Women: 5K – 11:00 am
Live Results | AE.tv
 
Men's Entries
Athanailos, Beltran, Dawkins, Garcia, Gia. Henry, Gio. Henry, Iocca, Meyers, Rogalski, Russell
 
Women's Entries
Chambers, Cruz-Delgado, Douglas, Fitzmaurice, Giulfoyle, Hayes, Hrelja, Iocca, Rose, Smith
 
Last Time Out
The Great Danes returned to IC4A & ECAC XC Championships for the first time in more than a decade, and to Van Cortland Park for the first time in six years.  Tess Fitzmaurice highlighted the weekend once again, placing first among UAlbany competitors in the women's race for the ninth-straight time to start her career.  The men saw sophomore transfer Ryan Russell claim the team's top finish for the first time in his career, followed by freshman Kirk Dawkins 13 seconds later.
 
Last Time at America East XC Championships
October 29, 2021 | The Great Danes returned to the campus of the University of New Hampshire for the America East XC Championships.  As had been the case all season in meets in which they participated, Tess Fitzmaurice and Antonio Beltran led the women and the men, respectively, crossing the line first on the team.  Fitzmaurice, who was the top freshman finisher at the Pre-Conference Meet in September, finished 27th overall, leading the women to a sixth-place finish.  Beltran finished 28th overall, leading the men to an eighth-place finish.
 
Nine-for-Nine
In each of her first nine races to start her UAlbany career, Tess Fitzmaurice has been the top finisher for the Great Dane women.  The streak began with her third-place overall finish in her career debut in 2021 at the Siena XC Invitational, and continued through her five subsequent meets that season.  And through the first three races of 2022, Fitzmaurice's streak has continued, most recently placing 18th overall at ECAC XC Championships.
 
Top Returners
Both the Great Danes men and women return their top performers from the 2021 season.  Antonio Beltran and Tess Fitzmaurice were the top finishers for the UAlbany men and women, respectively, in each race they competed last season.
 
Schedule Note
The 2022 UAlbany cross country schedule does not include a home meet.  Traditionally held in the middle of October, the Great Danes instead will travel to Van Cortlandt Park for the IC4A and ECAC XC Championships, which moved up a month from its regular spot on the calendar in November after regional championships.  In electing to attend this meet, the team will have a chance to preview the Northeast Regional XC Championship course, where they will compete in November.
 
Next: UAlbany returns to Van Cortland Park for the NCAA Northeast Regional XC Championships on November 11.