The College of Staten Island women’s cross-country team made the most significant jump of any team on the women’s circuit at the CUNYAC Championship Meet from last year the 2014, posting a second-place finish at the 6k event this morning at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. CSI finished with three racers scoring in the Top 15, and finished with 67 points, behind only Champion Hunter College, who finished with 29 points. John Jay College took third place with an even-100 points.
On a gorgeous race day the Dolphins were nothing short of excellent with many of the racers posting their finest times of the season, right on par with what was expected. Hunter College placed four runners in the Top 10, but right alongside them was freshman Victoria Crea, who blitzed in with a time of 27:50.1, beating her best mark by almost a full minute. The finish was good enough for sixth overall in the field, finishing as CSI’s only Top 10 finisher.
Perhaps the most impressive outing of the day belonged to Frances Gonzalez. The first-time runner turned in a time of 28:36.4, destroying her previous personal best and placing second among the Dolphins and in 13th place overall. Right behind her came Victoria Gallinaro, who finished in 14th place with a time of 28:42.1, beating her previous best by 55 seconds.
CSI had two other scorers with fantastic finishes. Just missing a medal was junior Victoria Barry, who was in at 29:01.6, good for 16th place, and placing 20th in the race was Lisa Galasso, who charged home with a time of 29:30.6. That was enough to push CSI to second among the eight senior colleges in attendance.
Also placing for CSI today was Jamie Pifalo (32:39.1, 48th), Christina Pasaturo (33:10.6), Alyssa Carlsen (33:13.7, 53rd), Rebecca Vidal (34:19,1, 60th), Carissa Mazzeo (38:17.4, 77th), and Tetiana Vasyleva (39:50.7, 82nd). Nicole Burns did not finish the race, but was on hand to participate.
All told, it was a rousing day for the women, who matched their all time best finish in CSI history. With no seniors on the squad, it promises to be an exciting future for the team moving forward.
